# NTSB LAX89FA178: Piper PA-28-201T, N8133A, Stockton, CA, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1989, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Location: 37.9577° N, 121.2908° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stockton, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9577&lon=-121.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO PERFORM AEROBATICS WHICH RESULTED IN THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE BEING EXCEEDED DUE TO EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS AND THE AIRPLANE'S ABILITY, AND HIS LACK OF AEROBATIC FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(va) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - separation

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE MIGHT TRY TO ROLL HIS AIRPLANE DURING HIS RETURN FLIGHT HOME. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING VFR RADAR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES WHILE CRUISING BETWEEN 8,400 AND 8,600 FT. AT 1629:23 THE AIRPLANE'S TRANSPONDER INDICATED IT WAS AT 8,600 FT. 12 SECS LATER IT WAS AT 7,800 FT, AND THEN 4 SECS LATER THE CONTROLLER HEARD AN ELT. AT 1629:45 THE CONTROLLER HEARD A MAYDAY AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING IN A 60-90 DEG NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. BOTH WINGS, VERTICAL STABILIZER, RUDDER, AND STABILATOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8133A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8133A-1991-04-25), registration cancelled 1991-04-25, S/N 287921056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-201t) (registry code 7102819) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7921056
- Airframe hours: 627
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB8 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul J. Thurston
- Registered owner: Beltran Investments, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 92 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 498 total, 460 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 15 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 19890504010739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890504010739A), May 4, 1989: Piper PA28201T, Stockton, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Broke up in flight. Pilot reported he might try a snap roll en route. Aircraft normal category excludes acrobatics.

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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