# NTSB LAX85LA379: Piper PA-28-180, N9950B, Glendale, AZ, September 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1985, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.530418, -112.180351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5304&lon=-112.1804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA379
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA379

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STOP AT THE AIRPORT WAS A PLANNED FUEL STOP ON A FLT FROM CONROE, TX TO BULLHEAD CITY, AZ. THE FLT DEPARTED CONTROE,TX ABOUT 12 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT MAKE TWO 'HIGH & VERY ERRATIC' ABORTED APPROACHES PRIOR TO IMPACTING IN THE RUN-UP AREA TO THE LT OF THE RWY 17 THRESHOLD, BOUNCING ABOUT 25 FT IN THE AIR AND CRASHING INTO A PARKED A/C. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THE WINDS AS 5 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LONG ON THE FIRST APPROACH AND DECIDED TO GO AROUND. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, HE SAID THAT 'A LARGE TRUCK PASSED UNDERNEATH' THE ACFT ON SHORT FINAL, CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL & 'SUCKED THE ACFT INTO THE GROUND IN A STALLED CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9950B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9950B-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 28-3827, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-3827
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arnold L. Beckman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DMN, DEMMING, TX
- Airport: P37, Glendale, runway 17, 2,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °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 19850903045409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850903045409A), Sep 3, 1985: Piper PA28180, Glendale, AZ, Destroyed. On third try, hit hard on the runup area to the left of the runway. Bounced in the air, struck a parked aircraft.

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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