# NTSB LAX89LA290: Piper PA-18-150, N4152N, Columbia, CA, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1989, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109249, -120.379531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1092&lon=-120.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA290

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING THE PIPER PA-18, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BY APPLYING POWER AND INCREASING LEFT RUDDER. SEEING THAT THE SITUATION WAS NOT BEING CORRECTED, HE INCREASED POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT REGAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BOULDER, DAMAGING A LANDING GEAR STRUT, THE PROPELLER, AND THE WINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4152N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4152N), registered now, S/N 1809028 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1809028
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis M. Reps
- Departed: TLR, TULARE, CA
- Destination: 022
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 17, 4,677 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 200 total, 40 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MOD, 35 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 19890826032169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890826032169A), Aug 26, 1989: Piper PA18150, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced hard on landing lost directional control. Tried to go around but struck a bolder off side of 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.