# NTSB LAX89LA283: Piper PA-38-112, N2344N, Long Beach, CA, August 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1989, 13:26 local (20:26 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.809246, -118.179008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8092&lon=-118.1790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA283

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF WHICH LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE EXCESSIVE WEIGHT IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BEGAN TAKING OFF FROM RWY 25L WHICH WAS 150 FEET WIDE BY 5420 FEET LONG. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO INITIALLY CLIMB OUT WITH A STEEP NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE AND AT A SLOW AIRSPEED. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF BETWEEN 100 AND 200 FEET AGL, ITS RIGHT WING AND NOSE SUDDENLY LOWERED, AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT'S RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE AIRCRAFT'S MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT WAS EXCEEDED BY ABOUT 83 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2344N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2344N-1992-08-31), registration cancelled 1992-08-31, S/N 3879A0796 (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: 38-79A0796
- Airframe hours: 2029
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aztec Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Mary Lou & Waldron Goss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 26, 1989, 74 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25L, 5,420 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19890820030449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890820030449A), Aug 20, 1989: Piper PA38112, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled on initial climbout. Was over gross weight.

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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