# NTSB LAX89LA088: Piper PA-32R-301T, N6913D, Santa Ana, CA, January 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1989, 23:45 local (Jan 18, 1989, 07:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710628, -117.869071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7106&lon=-117.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA088

## Probable cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY DESPITE NOTAM AND ATIS INFORMATION INDICATING THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRLANE COLLIDED WITH A GENERATOR THAT WAS POSITIONED ON THE RUNWAY TO ILLUMINATE AN X INDICATING THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED. THE PILOT DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED EVEN AFTER LISTENING TO AN ATIS MESSAGE STATING THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED. A NOTAM WAS IN EFFECT REPORTING THE SAME. THE PILOT SAID HE HEARD WHAT HE EXPECTED TO HEAR WHEN HE 'LISTENED' TO THE ATIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6913D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6913D-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 32R-8529016, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8529016
- Airframe hours: 583
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David W. Berglund
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 7, 1988, 20 hours before
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19R, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,130 total, 673 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890117000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890117000869A), Jan 17, 1989: Piper PA32R301T, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with power generator on closed runway on takeoff. X on runway and lighted by generator. NOTAMS on runway.

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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