# NTSB LAX87LA343: Piper PA-28-180, N7896W, Tucson, AZ, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1987, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.329788, -110.980453 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3298&lon=-110.9805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA343

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-28-180 COLLIDED WITH A TREE AFTER VEERING OFF RUNWAY 15. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A RIGHT CROSSWIND DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING THEN STRUCK A TREE SEVERING IT FROM THE FUSELAGE. THERE WERE NO UNRESOLVED MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED AGAINST THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE OFFICIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION STATION LOCATED 20 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THE WINDS FROM 260 DEGREES AT 4 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7896W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7896W-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-1924, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 1924
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sun Burst Investments, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ONM, SOCORRO, NM
- Destination: 40E, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 40E, Lacholla Airport, runway 15, 4,500 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 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 19870920055109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920055109A), Sep 20, 1987: Piper PA28180, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and struck a tree on landing. Impact severed a wing. Pilot blamed a crosswind. Wind almost calm.

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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