# NTSB LAX89LA020: Piper PA-28-161, N6184H, Petaluma, CA, October 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1988, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Location: 38.2420° N, 122.6286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Petaluma, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2420&lon=-122.6286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE WAS ATTEMPTING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING WHEN THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON ITS NOSEWHEEL. SHE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE NOSEWHEEL STEERING MECHANISM DURING FOUR TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6184H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6184H-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 28-7816233, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287816233
- Airframe hours: 850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Therrien, Ed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1988, 5 hours before
- Airport: 069, Petaluma, runway 29, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS

## 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 19881019046729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881019046729A), Oct 19, 1988: Piper PA28161, Petaluma, CA, Substantial damage. Landed hard on nosewheel, lost control and collided with a hangar.

## Other investigations on N6184H (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX79FUG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUG07), Nov 25, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N6184H), Newberry Spgs, CA, substantial damage

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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