# NTSB LAX90LA098: Piper PA-28, N89BY, Truckee, CA, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1990, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING ON A RECENTLY PLOWED RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FOUR FOOT HIGH SNOW BERM ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY AND THE ICY SPOTS ON THE RUNWAY.

## 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
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED A PIPER PA-28 ON A RECENTLY PLOWED RUNWAY THAT HAD A FEW ICY SPOTS. THE WIND WAS CALM. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH A FOUR FOOT HIGH SNOW BERM. RUNWAY 19 IS 3700 FEET LONG AND 60 FEET WIDE. THE PILOT STATED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89BY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89BY), registered now, S/N 2890102, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fatsch, Edward J.
- Departed: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Destination: TRK
- Airport: TRK, Truckee, runway 19, 3,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900219002419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900219002419A), Feb 19, 1990: Piper PA28181, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway into a snowbank on landing.

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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