# NTSB LAX90FA002: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N3063T, Palm Springs, CA, October 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1989, 17:14 local (Oct 6, 1989, 00:14 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.849819, -116.560012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8498&lon=-116.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA002

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW WAKE TURBULENCE AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES, WHICH RESULTED IN A VORTEX TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITHIN ITS WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-28 PLT ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC TO LAND ON RWY 12 IN WINDS THAT WERE VARIABLE AT 6 KTS.  THE RWY WAS 8500' LONG, BUT IT HAD A 1200' DISPLACED THRESHOLD.  AT ABT THE SAME TIME, A BOEING 727 (ALASKA FLT 192) WAS ON AN APCH TO LAND ON THE SAME RWY.  THE TWR CTLR ADZD THE PA-28 PLT OF THE OTHER TRAFFIC & CAUTIONED HIM ABT WAKE TURBULENCE.  THE PA-28 WAS ABEAM THE APCH END OF THE RWY ON A CLOSE DOWNWIND AS FLT 192 LANDED.  THE PA-28 PLT WAS CLRD TO LAND & HE ENTERED AN 'IMMEDIATE STEEP BANK AND DESCENDING TURN.'   RPRTDLY, THE PA-28 WAS MANEUVERED ONTO FINAL APCH ABT 100' TO 200' AGL, THEN IT BEGAN OSCILLATING EXCESSIVELY & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT.  A WEIGHT & BALANCE COMPUTATION SHOWED THE PA-28 WAS ABT 150 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION & THE CG WAS 3.86 INCHES BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3063T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3063T-1996-08-13), registration cancelled 1996-08-13, S/N 28R7931089 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931089
- Airframe hours: 4721
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F8 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tuomela, Clyde
- Registered owner: Tuomela, Clyde H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1989, 273 hours before
- Departed: CLR, CALIPATRIA, CA
- Destination: PSP
- Airport: PSP, Palm Springs, runway 12, 8,500 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,665 total, 877 in this make and model, 1,665 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP

## 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 19891005038879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891005038879A), Oct 5, 1989: Piper PA28RT201T, Palm Springs, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Made close low pattern behind landing 727 jet. Lost control rolled vertical and crashed. Weight over gross. Aft CG.

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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