# NTSB LAX89LA186: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39520, Phoenix, AZ, May 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 20:23 local (May 24, 1989, 03:23 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429901, -112.010147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4299&lon=-112.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA186

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BEHIND THE B-737 WHICH RESULTED IN THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A NIGHT FLIGHT AND WAS MAKING A VFR APPROACH AND LANDING. THE PILOT HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT HE WAS FOLLOWING A B737. ON THE BASE LEG, THE B737 WAS TURNING OFF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT WAS WARNED OF POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. AS THE AIRPLANE WAS OVER THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT FELT A LITTLE TURBULENCE AND INCREASED HIS AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED ALMOST 360 DEGREES. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO GET THE AIRPLANE UPRIGHT BEFORE IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD A VISUAL SIGHTING ON THE B737 THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE APPROACH AND ATTEMPTED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39520](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39520-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N 32R-7887099, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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-7887099
- Airframe hours: 2787
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Wings Express Airline
- Registered owner: Wings Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1989, 34 hours before
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ
- Destination: PHX
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PHX, Sky Harbor, runway 26L, 10,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,325 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °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 19890523012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523012649A), May 23, 1989: Piper PA32RT300T, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Cleared to land behind a 737 got in to wake, snap rolled and impacted runway upright but at a high rate of descent.

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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