# NTSB LAX86LA010: Piper PA-32-260, N3643W, Paradise, CA, October 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1985, 10:27 local (17:27 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740345, -121.610176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7403&lon=-121.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOUCHED DWN TAIL FIRST DURING LNDGING TO THE RT OF THE RWY. THE PLT INDICATED HE WAS LNDGING IN A GUSTING X-WIND WHICH DRIFTED HIM DURING A NOSE HIGH HARD LNDG. NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE REPORTED BY THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3643W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3643W-1991-04-26), registration cancelled 1991-04-26, S/N 32546 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA32-546
- Airframe hours: 3872
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paradise Air Center
- Registered owner: Budd Williams Land Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1985, 77 hours before
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: Q88, Paradise Skypark, runway 35, 1,990 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 152 total, 16 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19851008053809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851008053809A), Oct 8, 1985: Piper PA32260, Paradise, CA, Substantial damage. Touched down tail first became airborne and landed without further incident. Did not correct for drift on final.

## Other investigations on N3643W (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 LAX86FA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA303), Jul 27, 1986: Piper PA-32-260 (N3643W), Yosemite Nation, CA, destroyed, 3 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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