# NTSB LAX85LVA01: Piper PA28-236, N43504, Porterville, CA, March 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1985, 12:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.960113, -118.920036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9601&lon=-118.9200&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): 24852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LVA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unicom - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO RWY 30 AT PORTERVILLE ARPT, AND AS THE ACFT FLARED FOR LANDING, THE LEFT WHEEL AND LEFT WING TOUCHED THE RWY, AND THE ACFT BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, STALLED, AND CRASHED JUST LEFT OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED, 'A GUST OF WIND PITCHED THE NOSE UP, I APPLIED FULL POWER BUT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE NOSE STAYED HIGH AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A LEFT WING LOW ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO THE AIR, THEN SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND, COMING TO REST IN THE GRASS OFF THE RUNWAY.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43504](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43504-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 28-8411015, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8411015
- Airframe hours: 2270
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michel, Herbert L. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1985, 531 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PTV, Porterville, runway 30, 6,000 × 146 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 30 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 19850331010179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850331010179A), Mar 31, 1985: Piper PA28236, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted go around with full flaps after nose high hard touchdown. Stalled into ground beside runway.

## Other investigations on N43504 (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 LAX86FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA233), May 27, 1986: Piper PA 28-236 (N43504), Chino, CA, substantial damage, 4 fatal

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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