# NTSB LAX89LA041: Piper PA-28, N5852V, Modesto, CA, December 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1988, 18:23 local (Dec 1, 1988, 02:23 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.629146, -120.969001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6291&lon=-120.9690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN ILS APPROACH IN NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DIMINISH RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING. BEFORE THE PILOT COULD REGAIN CONTROL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE OR AIRPORT EQUIPMENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5852V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5852V-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 287715257 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7715257
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Modesto Flight Center
- Registered owner: Modesto Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 18, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: MOD, MODESTO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MOD, Modesto City, runway 28, 5,911 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,795 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 1 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 19881130052029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881130052029A), Nov 30, 1988: Piper PA28151, Modesto, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed short of runway on ILS approach. Pilot reported he had begun missed approach and stalled. Was below minimums

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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