# NTSB LAX89LA075: Piper PA-28-161, N28843, Avalon, CA, December 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1988, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.379608, -118.449302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3796&lon=-118.4493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING ROLL AT CATALINA AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE END OF RUNWAY 22, WENT DOWN A STEEP SLOPE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS FIRST APPROACH HAD BEEN TOO HIGH, SO HE MADE A GO-AROUND AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. THE PLT SAID HE THEN MADE A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDED 200-300 FEET PAST THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. HE STATED THAT, 'I APPLIED NORMAL AND EVEN BRAKING PRESSURE, BUT THE PLANE DID NOT RESPOND AS I EXPECTED. INSTEAD IT DECELERATED VERY SLOWLY.' A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE RUNWAY; HE STATED THAT THE PILOT'S APPROACH SEEMED TO BE FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28843 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916509
- Airframe hours: 2922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Clubs Of Fullerton
- Registered owner: Bruce Leach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 23, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Airport: AVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,240 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 21 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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