# NTSB LAX89LA094: Piper PA-28-180, N8162W, Show Low, AZ, January 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 17:55 local (Jan 23, 1989, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Show Low, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.229866, -110.070724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2299&lon=-110.0707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA094

## Probable cause

DELAYED RETRACTION OF FLAPS AND THE INADVERTENT APPLICATION OF LEFT RUDDER DUE TO DIVERSION OF ATTENTION RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE'S DEPARTURE FROM THE RUNWAY. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE INEXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - raising of flaps - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHE HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED HER SECOND TOUCH AND GO LANDING AND WAS BEGINNING HER THIRD TAKEOFF, WHEN SHE REMEMBERED THAT SHE STILL HAD THE AIRPLANE IN A FULL FLAP CONFIGURATION. SHE STATED THAT SHE ADDED POWER TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN SHE REACHED DOWN TO RETRACT THE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OF CENTERLINE, DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHE MAY HAVE STEPPED ON THE LEFT RUDDER AS SHE TRIED TO RETRACT THE FLAPS. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8162W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8162W), registered now, S/N 28-2279, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2279
- Airframe hours: 4318
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ram Aero Co. Inc.
- Registered owner: Ram Aero Company Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 67 hours before
- Airport: SOW, Show Low, runway 24, 6,000 × 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: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SOW

## 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 19890122001139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890122001139A), Jan 22, 1989: Piper PA28180, Show Low, AZ, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost directional control during flap retraction after commencing take off. May have misused rudder.

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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