# NTSB LAX90LA073: Piper PA-28-161, N2572Y, Coalinga, CA, January 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1990, 19:35 local (Jan 21, 1990, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 36.190269, -120.390449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1903&lon=-120.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, HAZE, AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE AREA WHERE THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AFTER ROLLING OUT ON FINAL DURING A NIGHT LANDING. HE STATED THAT HE GOT TOO LOW AND REALIZED IT WAS TOO LATE TO ADD POWER, SO HE MAINTAINED A LANDING ATTITUDE AND LANDED IN A RECENTLY PLOWED FIELD. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2572Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2572Y-1997-09-17), registration cancelled 1997-09-17, S/N 288516041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David G. Roe
- Departed: O36, TRACY, CA
- Destination: 308, HARRIS RANCH, CA
- Airport: 308, Harris Ranch, runway 32, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 88 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19900120000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900120000799A), Jan 20, 1990: Piper PA28161, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Landed short in plowed field during night landing. Factors failed stay high. Check altitude. Dark. Haze. Skill.

## Other investigations on N2572Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW97LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA132), Mar 19, 1997: Piper PA-28-161 (N2572Y), Broomfield, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector which led to fuel starvation and loss of engine power. Factors were the pilot's inadequate fuel management and the lack of suitable terrain…

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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