# NTSB LAX89LA148: Piper PA-22, N3508Z, Lancaster, CA, April 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1989, 12:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Location: 34.7411° N, 118.2186° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GENERAL WM J FOX AIRFIELD (WJF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7411&lon=-118.2186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA148

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. STRONG/GUSTY WINDS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON RWY 24, THE PLT ELECTED TO EXIT AT THE MIDFIELD INTERSECTION. AS HE WAS TAXIING OFF THE RWY, A STRONG GUST OF WIND OCCURRED WHICH BLEW THE ACFT OVER ON ITS TOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3508Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3508Z-2012-04-23), registration cancelled 2012-04-23, S/N 22-7403, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Unknown
- Registered owner: Kofler, Carl
- Departed: COTTONWOOD, AZ
- Airport: WJF, William J Fox Airfield, runway 24, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890401011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890401011569A), Apr 1, 1989: Piper PA22160, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Blown over by severe gusty surface winds after exiting the 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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