# NTSB LAX90LA056: Piper PA-32-300, N4111W, Big Bear, CA, December 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1989, 17:47 local (Dec 23, 1989, 01:47 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.26054, -116.840049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2605&lon=-116.8400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LEVEL-OFF AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED HARD, BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A THREE FOOT DIRT BERM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4111W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4111W-1992-10-27), registration cancelled 1992-10-27, S/N 3240174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40174
- Engines: LYCOMING IO540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William A. Mcdowell
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: L35, Big Bear, runway 7, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 660 total, 190 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °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 19891222052919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891222052919A), Dec 22, 1989: Piper PA32300, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced lost control hit prop porpoised left the runway and struck a dirt berm.

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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