# NTSB LAX89LA016: Piper PA-38-112, N25619, Van Nuys, CA, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190475, -118.489173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1905&lon=-118.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

IN BOTH HIS ORAL AND WRITTEN STATEMENTS, THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND, BUT BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN CROSSED A GRASS DIVIDER AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, TREES AND UTILITY POLE. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25619](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25619-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 3881A0014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7103812
- Airframe hours: 4468
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Satchell, Charles, doing business as Bud Walen Flight Shcool
- Registered owner: Charles Satchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 1988, 21 hours before
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16L, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY

## 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 19881016048339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016048339A), Oct 16, 1988: Piper PA38112, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed. Lost control on power application for a touch and go. Veered off runway hit fence, trees and utility pole.

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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