# NTSB LAX88LA120: Piper PA-28-236, N2184U, Hesperia, CA, March 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1988, 20:32 local (Mar 4, 1988, 04:32 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Location: 34.4264° N, 117.3009° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hesperia, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4264&lon=-117.3009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2184U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2184U-1990-02-22), registration cancelled 1990-02-22, S/N 287911120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911120
- Airframe hours: 1089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3AD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Flite Center
- Registered owner: Rowbotham, Lynn B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1987, 89 hours before
- Departed: OGD, OGDEN, UT
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: L26, Hesperia Air Lodge

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 653 total, 17 in this make and model, 536 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880303004419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880303004419A), Mar 3, 1988: Piper PA28236, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported total power loss, IFR at night. Could not locate airport. Landed in desert, hit tree with left wing.

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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