# NTSB LAX87LA038: Piper PA-28-150, N5153W, San Jose, CA, November 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1986, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.330513, -121.770278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3305&lon=-121.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER A 'HAND-PROPPED' START. THE STUDENT PLT HAD EXHAUSTED THE ACFT BATTERY POWER DURING PREVIOUS STARTING ATTEMPTS. HE THEN TIED THE ACFT DOWN AT BOTH WINGS AND THE TAIL. HE PRIMED THE ENG WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL FULL RICH, THROTTLE FULL OPEN AND THE MAGNETOS OFF. HE THEN OPENED THE THROTTLE APRX 1/4 INCH AND TURNED THE MAGNETOS ON. THE ENG STARTED IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT WAS HAND-PROPPED AND ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RPM. THE ACFT BROKE FREE OF THE TIE DOWN ROPES AND COLLIDED WITH AND PASSED THROUGH A CYCLONE FENCE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TWO TREES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5153W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5153W-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 28-185, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-185
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger A. Gearhart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 90 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.