# NTSB LAX85LA171: Piper PA-44-180T, N8322T, Woodland, CA, March 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1985, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodland, CA
- Coordinates: 38.730087, -121.810501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7301&lon=-121.8105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS PREPARING HIS STUDENT FOR A MULTIENGINE, PRIVATE PLT, FLT TEST. THE PURPOSE OF THE LESSON WAS TO DEMONSTRATE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING FOLLOWING A SIMULATED LOSS OF POWER AFTER TAKEOFF. AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE CFI RETARDED THE LEFT ENG TO IDLE. HE THEN INITIATED A LANDING, STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE REMAINING RWY. HE REDUCED THE ANGLE-OF-ATTACK & EXTENDED FULL FLAPS. (THE GEAR HAD NOT BEEN RETRACTED, SO IT WAS ALREADY EXTENDED.) DURING THE LANDING, A HI RATE OF DESCENT DEVELOPED & WAS NOT ARRESTED BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LANDED HARD & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8322T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8322T-2013-02-08), registration cancelled 2013-02-08, S/N 44-8107033, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180t) (registry code 7104404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TSIO-360SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tsio-360ser) (registry code 41561, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-8107033
- Airframe hours: 786
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Capitol Sky Park
- Registered owner: Robert C. Sardella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: 2Q3, Yolo County, runway 34, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,294 total, 152 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850313006799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850313006799A), Mar 13, 1985: Piper PA44180T, Woodland, CA, Substantial damage. During simulated engine failure after takeoff a high rate of sink developed. Aircraft made hard landing on runway.

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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