# NTSB LAX87LA124: Piper PA-28-140, N56887, Petaluma, CA, February 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1987, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.21006, -122.759521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2101&lon=-122.7595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS DOWNWIND TO RWY 29 AND NOTED THE WIND WAS LIGHT FROM 110 DEGS. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER ACFT AND NOTED THAT THE ACFT HAD A SLIGHT CRAB TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT OBSERVED THAT THE WIND DIRECTION HAD CHANGED TO A RIGHT CROSS-WIND. WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED-DOWN THE PLT STATED THAT A STRONG GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. WIND CONDITIONS ON THE ARPT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS WIND FROM 320 DEGS AT 15 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56887](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56887), registered now, S/N 28-7425059 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7425059
- Airframe hours: 3856
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Hunsicker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1986, 78 hours before
- Departed: STS, SONOMA, CA
- Destination: 069, PETALUMA, CA
- Airport: 069, Petaluma, runway 29, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 73 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS, 20 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 19870221003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870221003149A), Feb 21, 1987: Piper PA28140, Petaluma, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed the side of the runway during the landing roll. The pilot failed to correct for gusting winds

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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