# NTSB LAX90LA039: Piper PA-28-235, N1963H, Rancho Calif, CA, November 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1989, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Rancho Calif, CA
- Location: 33.5742° N, 117.1285° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRENCH VALLEY (F70), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5742&lon=-117.1285&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A CROSSWIND LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A GUSTY CROSSWIND LANDING CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO DEPART THE RUNWAY AND RUN ACROSS A GULLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1963H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1963H), registered now, S/N 28-7710010, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7710010
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4BS 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airmech Inc.
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Airport: F70, French Valley, runway 18, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 304 total, 33 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891118046429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891118046429A), Nov 18, 1989: Piper PA28235, Rancho Calif, CA, Substantial damage. Severe crosswind gust blew aircraft off runway on landing hit a ditch and collapsed gear.

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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