# NTSB LAX85LA242: Piper PA-28-160, N5166W, Springville, CA, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Springville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.169178, -118.699005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1692&lon=-118.6990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

AFTER OVERFLYING THE UNCHARTED, PRIVATE AIRSTRIP & EVALUATING ITS SIZE, THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE NARROW RWY. ONLY ABOUT 900 FT OF THE RWY WAS USABLE. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE PLT REALIZED THE ACFT COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE REMAINING AVAILABLE STRIP, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT IT WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN BEYOND A SMALL VALLEY AT THE END OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & CRASHED IN A MEADOW ABOUT 600 YARDS FROM THE LANDING AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5166W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5166W-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 28-197, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-197
- Airframe hours: 2556
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Kirwan & Douglas Arnew
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1984
- Departed: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Destination: SPRINGVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Sequoia Ranch, runway 36, 900 × 8 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 75 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850505069909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505069909A), May 5, 1985: Piper PA28160, Springville, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted go around after landing on what was thought to be a 900 foot runway. Struck a tree and impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N5166W (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK64X3915](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3915), Sep 11, 1964: Piper PA28 (N5166W), Martinsburg, PA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.