# NTSB LAX89LA254: Piper PA-28-161, N2933D, Oceanside, CA, July 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1989, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.199222, -117.350494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1992&lon=-117.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA254

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ATTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED DURING THE GO-AROUND. THE LACK OF AIRSPEED DID NOT PERMIT THE AIRPLANE TO CLIMB AND THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE TREES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DELAYING THE GO-AROUND AFTER HE MISJUDGED THE TOUCHDOWN POINT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - intentional, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS INDICATED THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY WHEN THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND. HE SAID THE FLAPS APPEARED TO BE IN THE FULL UP POSITION, AND THE NOSE WAS VERY HIGH AND THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE MUSHING. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD FULL THROTTLE BUT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB. HE SAID THAT WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CLIMB OVER THE TREES, HE PULLED THE POWER OFF AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE BUSHES AND TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2933D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2933D-1991-10-10), registration cancelled 1991-10-10, S/N 287916550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916550
- Airframe hours: 2447
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul W. Searby
- Registered owner: Searby, Paul
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 1989, 17 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: L32
- Airport: L32

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 23 in this make and model, 248 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890731025929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890731025929A), Jul 31, 1989: Piper PA28161, Oceanside, CA, Substantial damage. Made late go around and hit trees, bushes and then ground. Appears aircraft was behind power curve until impact.

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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