# NTSB LAX88FA319: Piper PA-24-250, N604MM, Springville, CA, September 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1988, 18:32 local (Sep 17, 1988, 01:32 UTC)
- Place: Springville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.169452, -118.700569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1695&lon=-118.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA319

## Probable cause

PILOT USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN EXECUTING THE SECOND LOW PASS AND FAILED TO FOLLOW NORMAL V.F.R. GO-AROUND PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING THE RAPID PITCH-UP MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE AIRPORT WAS LOCATED IN A VALLEY SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN; THE HIGHEST MTN PEAKS WERE LOCATED TO THE EAST & WEST OF THE NORTH/SOUTH (36/18) RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE ARPT FROM THE SOUTH AND THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER RUNWAY 36 AS WAS CUSTOMARY TO INSURE THAT NO LIVESTOCK WERE ON THE RUNWAY. AFTER COMPLETING THE LOW PASS, THE PLT CLIMBED STRAIGHT AHEAD BEYOND THE RISING TERRAIN, THEN ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTEDTHAT THE AIRPLANE MADE ANOTHER LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY. AT THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SHARP CLIMBING TURN, BUT AFTER ABOUT 90 DEG OF TURN, IT CRASHED ON RISING TERRAIN, ABOUT 1/4 MI NORTHWEST FROM THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSEDOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREEXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N604MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N604MM-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 241142 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1142
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sachs, Robert S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CAMARILLO, CA
- Airport: CA44, Sequoia, runway 36, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,150 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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