# NTSB LAX89LA052: Piper PA-28R-201T, N4306M, Van Nuys, CA, November 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1988, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189407, -118.490501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1894&lon=-118.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wake turbulence - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - pole
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE DESCENDING FOR LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A POLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND BEHIND A KING AIR, ON RUNWAY 16R. THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT THE TIME HE DESCENDED TO 50 FEET AGL, NEAR THE THRESHOLD, HE ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED RIGHT BANK, WHICH TURNED HIM 90 DEGREES TO THE LANDING RUNWAY AND HE STRUCK A POLE. THE ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND OFF THE RUNWAY AND SLID INTO A CHAIN LINK FENCE. IT IS UNKNOWN WHERE THE KING AIR TOUCHED DOWN, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT THE KING AIR'S APPROACH LOOKED STEEP (GREATER THAN A 3 DEGREE GLIDE SLOPE). THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL APPROACH AND TRIED TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE THRESHOLD. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PIPER WAS ONLY A FEW SECONDS BEHIND THE LANDING KING AIR. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4306M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4306M-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 28R8331038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8331038
- Airframe hours: 2105
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Panzarino, Anthony V, doing business as Van Nuys Flite Center
- Registered owner: Anthoney V. Panzarino
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 10, 1988, 45 hours before
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Airport: NVY, Van Nuys, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 832 total, 8 in this make and model, 643 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- 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 19881119051399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881119051399A), Nov 19, 1988: Piper PA28R201T, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Caught in wake turbulence by making approach too close to a king air, both on final. Rolled hit a pole and crashed.

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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