# NTSB LAX90LA052: Piper PA-12, N3266M, Placerville, CA, December 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1989, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.730369, -120.799148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7304&lon=-120.7991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA052

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING WHILE BENDING DOWN TO RAISE THE FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3266M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3266M-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 12-2150 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stancil Aviation Ent.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 81 total, 12 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19891216051399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891216051399A), Dec 16, 1989: Piper STCPA12, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing. Was bending down to raise flaps.

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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