# NTSB LAX88FA144: Piper PA-28-180, N6574J, Torrance, CA, March 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1988, 14:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.800861, -118.349105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8009&lon=-118.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INOPERATIVE. THE PLT NOTIFIED THE TOWER THAT HE WAS RETURNING FOR LANDING AND STATED THE PROBLEM. DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT OVERSHOT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT RWYS. THE ACFT WAS LANDED TO THE LEFT AND SHORT OF THE RWYS WHERE, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED VEHICLES. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS, HOWEVER, DUCT TAPE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE PITOT VANE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS REVEALED A PITOT/STATIC TEST WAS ACCOMPLISHED JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE TEST STATED THAT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE TAPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6574J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6574J-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 28-5028, built 1968 (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: 25-5028
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Talbert, Walter P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TOA, Torrance, runway 29, 5,000 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 565 total, 125 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 19880331006939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880331006939A), Mar 31, 1988: Piper PA28180, Torrance, CA, Destroyed. Forced landing due to airspeed indication on climb. Landed across runway and hit 2 cars. Found tape covered pitot.

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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