# NTSB LAX86LA200: Piper PA-38-112, N25954, Fallbrook, CA, April 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1986, 17:30 local (Apr 30, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Fallbrook, CA
- Coordinates: 33.39083, -117.210792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3908&lon=-117.2108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-38-112 VEERED OFF RWY 36. THE WX REPORTING STATION LOCATED 6 NM SE OF THE ARPT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 180 DEG AT 7 KTS DURING THE PERIOD THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE MISINTERPRETED THE ARPT WIND INDICATOR AND LANDED DOWNWIND AND SUBSEQUENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID OVERRUNNING THE RWY. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. RWY 36 WAS 2,160 FT LONG. ACCORDING TO THE TOMOHAWK (PA-38-112) INFORMATION MANUAL PUBLISHED BY PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION, THE MINIMUM LANDING GROUND ROLL FOR THE REPORTED WX CONDITION IS AT LEAST 1,000 FT. A WITNESS WHO IS EMPLOYED AT A FBO LOCATED AT THE ARPT OBSERVED THE ACFT TOUCHDOWN 'APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OF THE DISTANCE DOWN THE RUNWAY.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25954-2020-12-07), registration cancelled 2020-12-07, S/N 38-81A0085, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0085
- Airframe hours: 1569
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerandin Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1986, 88 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: L18, FALLBROOK, CA
- Airport: L18, Fall Brook Comm Air Park, runway 36, 2,160 × 70 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: 192 total, 71 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFG, 6 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 19860429017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860429017719A), Apr 29, 1986: Piper PA38112, Fallbrook, CA, Substantial damage. Landed long and downwind and intentionally veered off side of runway after realizing he could not stop.

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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