# NTSB LAX85LA107: Piper PA-38-112, N9755T, Compton, CA, January 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1985, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.869327, -118.239295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8693&lon=-118.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24631
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24631/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA107

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

AS THE STUDENT PLT WAS ABOUT TO TOUCHDOWN ON RWY 25L THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT. HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND & IN ORDER TO AVOID PARKED ACFT TO THE SOUTH OF THE ADJACENT TAXIWAY HE APPLIED AFT ELEVATOR & STALLED THE ACFT, LANDING UPON & DESTROYING TWO OTHER ACFT & SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGING A THIRD. THE WIND WAS CALM 6 MILES SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE WIND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS FROM THE NORTH & BLEW THE ACFT TO THE LEFT. THE PLT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED NO DOCUMENTED GO-AROUND PRACTICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9755T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9755T-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 38-78A0187, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78AO187
- Airframe hours: 57322
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin M Mills
- Registered owner: Billy Don Sims
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1984, 2,122 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: CMP, COMPTON, CA
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: CMP, Compton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 53 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850113000709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850113000709A), Jan 13, 1985: Piper PA38112, Compton, CA, Destroyed. Improperly aligned, went around, stalled into parked aircraft. This crosscountry not authorized by instructor.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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