# NTSB LAX85LA255: Piper PA-38-112, N2456L, Morgan Hill, CA, May 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1985, 18:20 local (May 13, 1985, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Morgan Hill, CA
- Coordinates: 37.17094, -121.649024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1709&lon=-121.6490&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): 24725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA255

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON A PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT & PAX FLEW TO AN UNCHARTED, DIRT AIRSTRIP LOCATED IN A STATE PARK. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ON APCH THE ACFT WAS HIGH AND FAST. AFTER INITIALLY TOUCHING DOWN, THE PLT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO GO-AROUND. A PARK RANGER REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT THE MIDFIELD LOCATION THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, TRAVELED FOR 342 FT THROUGH A GRASSY FLD, BECAME AIRBORNE FOR 300 FT, AND COLLIDED WITH ADDITIONAL BUSHES COMING TO REST AT THE BOTTOM OF A 30 FT DEEP RAVINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2456L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0708
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northwind Aviation
- Registered owner: Sam Pamisano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1985, 41 hours before
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: MORGAN HILL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 39 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19850512019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850512019849A), May 12, 1985: Piper PA38112, Morgan Hill, CA, Substantial damage. Landed long on dirt strip, veered off side of strip and struck several large bushes, then rolled into a ravine.

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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