# NTSB LAX87LA256: Piper PA-28-181, N8273P, Huron, CA, July 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1987, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Huron, CA
- Coordinates: 36.200893, -120.090576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2009&lon=-120.0906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA256

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT,THE PLT APPLIED THE BRAKES ON TOUCH DOWN. THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE PLT APPLIED THE RIGHT BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL, EXITED THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8273P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8273P-1991-04-05), registration cancelled 1991-04-05, S/N 288190049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288190049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Trails, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Trails Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Destination: HURON, CA
- Airport: Anderson, runway 29, 2,600 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 4 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 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 19870704070809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870704070809A), Jul 4, 1987: Piper PA28181, Huron, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway on landing and nosed over. The pilot inadvertently applied brakes.

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.