# NTSB LAX89LA301: Piper PA-38-112, N25649, Torrance, CA, September 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.799427, -118.349876 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7994&lon=-118.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA301

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE.   A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:   THE LACK OF TRAINING IN RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDINGS FROM HER INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).

## 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)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT ENCOUNTERED A PITCH OSCILLATION ON HER 2ND SOLO LANDING THAT RESULTED IN A COLLAPSED NOSE GEAR & OTHER DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.  SHE RPRTD THAT THE ACFT BOUNCED HARD & SHE ELECTED TO LOWER THE NOSE & REFLARE THE PLANE INSTEAD OF MAKING A GO-AROUND.  A SERIES OF HARD LANDINGS FOLLOWED UNTIL THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE STUDENT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN TRAINED IN BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUES, BUT THAT SHE HAD BEEN TOLD BY HER INSTRUCTOR TO LOWER THE NOSE & REFLARE THE AIRPLANE IN THE EVENT SHE HAD FLARED TOO HIGH DURING A LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25649](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25649-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 38-81A0036, built 1981 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0036
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Peninsula Aviation
- Airport: TOA, Torrance, runway 29, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 25 total, 18 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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