# NTSB LAX88FA258: Piper PA-28-140, N40808, Compton, CA, July 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Location: 33.8899° N, 118.2438° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COMPTON/WOODLEY (CPM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8899&lon=-118.2438&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA258

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS TAKING HIS 2 GRANDCHILDREN & 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS ON A LOCAL FLT. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LIFT OFF AND CONTINUE IN AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK CLIMB ATTITUDE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE REACHED ABT 150 FT A.G.L. IT STALLED, ENTERED A LEFT SPIN, AND CRASHED. THE POSTCRASH WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN HIS FLYING ON 7/22/79; HE HAD LOGGED 186 HOURS OF WHICH 51 WERE AS PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40808](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40808-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 28-7425170, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 7425170
- Airframe hours: 2378
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Claude
- Registered owner: Smith, Claude E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1987, 43 hours before
- Airport: CPM, Compton, runway 25R, 3,760 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 186 total, 186 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19880716026869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716026869A), Jul 16, 1988: Piper PA28140, Compton, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off with full up trim and leaned mixture. Nosed up,stalled and spun in. Carried passengers. Lacked endorsement

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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