# NTSB LAX87LA311: Piper PA-28-181, N9144T, Long Beach, CA, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 06:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.810497, -118.180961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8105&lon=-118.1810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA311

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

THE PLT INDICATED THAT 10 MIN FROM HIS DESTINATION HE BECAME CONCERNED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES READ 'NEAR ZERO.' THE PLT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO ANOTHER APRT, WHICH WAS CLOSED. THE PLT MAINTAINED HIS ALT IN CASE OF POWER LOSS. THE PLT STATED, 'I ALSO BECAME GLUED TO THE GAS GAUGES AND THE ENGINE RPM.' THE PLT THEN INDICATED THAT HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 2,000 FT TOO HIGH ON FINAL APRCH. HE THEN REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND PLACED THE ACFT IN A SLIP. ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE RATE OF DESCENT AND A/S WERE HIGH AND HE DID NOT LOWER ANY FLAPS. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN MIDFIELD ON THE 6,192 FT LONG RWY WITH AN INDICATED A/S OF 126 MPH. THE PLT FURTHER INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO GET A ROOM IN LAS VEGAS THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT AND DID NOT GET ANY SLEEP. HE STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT FATIGUE DUE TO THE LACK OF SLEEP AFFECTED HIS JUDGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9144T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9144T), registered now, S/N 28-8690029, built 1985 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288690029
- Airframe hours: 1166
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peninsula Aviation
- Registered owner: Roger W. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1987
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: LBG, Long Beach, runway 25R, 6,192 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 13 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 16 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 5 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 19870823047659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047659A), Aug 23, 1987: Piper PA28181, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Overshot a 6000 foot runway and struck a dirt bank. Low fuel worry and pilot fatigue factors.

## Other investigations on N9144T (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI95LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA216), Jul 5, 1995: Piper PA-28-181 (N9144T), Chesterfield, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusty crosswind conditions.

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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