# NTSB LAX86LA060: Piper PA-32-301, N82009, San Jose, CA, December 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1985, 17:30 local (Dec 5, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.340423, -121.900588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3404&lon=-121.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA060

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - brakes(normal) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A PERSONAL FLIGHT THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT. UPON TOUCHDOWN ON THE 8899 FT-LONG BY 150 FT-WIDE RWY THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THERE WAS A 70 DEG, 8 KT. RIGHT X-WIND. THE ACFT OVERRAN THE RUNWAY'S EDGE, ENTERED A SOFT SHOULDER & ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP UPON VEERING 90 DEG TO ITS COURSE. THE PLT, WHO HAD 28.6 HRS OF TIME IN THE MODEL ACFT, ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HAD SHE APPLIED MORE RUDDER & BRAKE PRESSURE THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82009](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82009-1995-06-22), registration cancelled 1995-06-22, S/N 328206033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8206033
- Airframe hours: 1142
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: S&G Flight Services
- Registered owner: Dyall & Alnita
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: 2Q1, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Intl., runway 12, 8,899 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 428 total, 29 in this make and model, 411 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

## 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 19851204064249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851204064249A), Dec 4, 1985: Piper PA32301, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered when nose wheel contacted runway. Ran off runway side into dirt. Damage to strut, firewall, cowling

## Other investigations on N82009 (2)

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 LAX94LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA107), Jan 28, 1994: Piper PA-32-301 (N82009), Truckee, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, DELAY IN HIS REMEDIAL ACTION, AND FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
- [NTSB LAX84LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA306), May 20, 1984: Piper PA-32-301 (N82009), San Jose, CA, substantial damage

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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