# NTSB LAX89LA279: Piper PA-38-112, N2469F, Fresno, CA, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 13:07 local (20:07 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.750659, -119.670547 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7507&lon=-119.6705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA279

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-38 WAS PRACTICING FOR A FORCED LANDING DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE OF FLIGHT. HE SAID HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. THE AIRSPEED WAS LOW AT THE TIME AND HE LOWERED THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE TO INCREASE AIRSPEED. HE SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND IT CRASHED ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2469F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2469F-1989-09-06), registration cancelled 1989-09-06, S/N 3879A0465 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0465
- Engines: LYCOMING PA-38-112 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Mazzie Flying Service
- Departed: FCH
- Airport: FCH, Fresno-Chandler Downtown, runway 30L, 3,202 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 180 total, 110 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FAT, 5 nm away

## 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 19890814029149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814029149A), Aug 14, 1989: Piper PA38112, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Closed throttle on climbout to simulate engine out. High sink rate due low airspeed caused hard impact with 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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