# NTSB LAX86LA280: Piper PA-28-161, N8075X, Vacaville, CA, July 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409439, -122.009193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4094&lon=-122.0092&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): 25204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA280

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT AFTER HIS THIRD APPROACH, WHILE FLYING SOLO, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND WENT OFF THE RWY DURING THE LANDING ROLL. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 5 FT DITCH, LOCATED APRX 38 FT FROM THE RWY EDGE, THEN CAME TO REST IN A 10 FT DEEP DITCH ABOUT 59 FT FROM THE RWY. THE STUDENT INDICATED THAT HE HAD USED A HIGHER APPROACH SPEED FOR TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY OF THE THRESHOLD. ALSO, HE REPORTED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. APRX 26 MI NE AT THE SACRAMENTO METRO AIRPORT, THE WIND WAS FROM 230 DEG AT 5 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8075X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8075X), registered now, S/N 28-8016044, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016044
- Airframe hours: 2682
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Air Wise Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert Kendrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1986, 39 hours before
- Departed: 045
- Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 19, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 15 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 26 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 19860706030709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860706030709A), Jul 6, 1986: Piper PA28161, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway. Suspect that the student failed to take out crosswind controls.

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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