# NTSB LAX87LA170: Piper PA-28R-200, N3085R, Calexico, CA, April 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 17:00 local (Apr 6, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.690353, -115.509925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6904&lon=-115.5099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA170

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT UPON LANDING, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, THE PLT CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT AGAIN AND THE PLT CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT THEN BEGAN TO TURN IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. INSPECTION OF THE LANDING SIGHT AND ACFT SHOWED TRACEABLE SIGNATURES WERE LEFT BY BOTH MAIN TIRES ON THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS COLLAPSED INWARD. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED FROM ITS TRUNNION FITTING, AND WAS PULLED OUT TOWARD THE RIGHT WING TIP. LATERAL STRESSES WERE SUCH ON THE NOSE GEAR THAT IT WAS BENT SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3085R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3085R-1988-11-18), registration cancelled 1988-11-18, S/N 28R35644 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35644
- Airframe hours: 3891
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe L. Dolley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1987, 13 hours before
- Departed: MXL, MEXICALI
- Destination: CXL, CALEXICO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CXL, Calexico, runway 26, 4,330 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 53 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 10 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 19870405011919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405011919A), Apr 5, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. The left main gear collapsed when the aircraft ground looped on landing. Pilot inexperienced in aircraft.

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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