# NTSB LAX90LA089: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2824Y, Napa, CA, February 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1990, 16:23 local (Feb 15, 1990, 00:23 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549255, -122.149269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5493&lon=-122.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA089

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER 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)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER LANDING INTO A QUARTERING CROSSWIND. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT AILERON AND LEFT RUDDER TO CORRECT THE OUT OF CONTROL AIRCRAFT FROM DEPARTING THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED 180 DEGREES AND COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2824Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2824Y), registered now, S/N 28R-7918161, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918161
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CK6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Iasco
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 36L, 5,392 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: APC

## 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 19900214003569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900214003569A), Feb 14, 1990: Piper PA28RT201, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in quartering tailwind. Locked brakes and ground looped.

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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