# NTSB LAX85LA256: Piper PA-28-181, N4378N, Pacoima, CA, May 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1985, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249492, -118.410728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2495&lon=-118.4107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA256

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT ATTEMPTED A NO-FLAP LANDING DURING WHICH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WAS USED. THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY DURING THE FLARE AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT TERRAIN. WHILE BRAKING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4378N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4378N), registered now, S/N 28-8590012, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8590012
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dollard H. Cadoret
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: WHP
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 12, 3,725 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 541 total, 26 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 5 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 19850511017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850511017019A), May 11, 1985: Piper PA28181, Pacoima, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to correct for drift and touched down beside runway in soft area and struck a fence.

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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