# NTSB LAX90LA099: Piper PA-28-181, N2134E, Big Bear, CA, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1990, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.25988, -116.839248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2599&lon=-116.8392&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): 26741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT WING TIP AND THE SNOW BANK. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW BERMS ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-28 COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BERM AFTER LANDING. RUNWAY 25 IS 5,800 FEET AND 75 FEET WIDE. THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR OF SNOW AND HAD FOUR TO FIVE FOOT SNOW BERMS ALONGSIDE. THE PILOT DID NOT STAY CLEAR OF THE SNOW BANK AND COLLIDED WITH IT DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED OR FOUND. WINDS WERE 250 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2134E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2134E), registered now, S/N 28-7990180, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- 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
- Serial number: 28-7990180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jozens, Victor E.
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Airport: L35, Big Bear, runway 25, 5,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19900219002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900219002309A), Feb 19, 1990: Piper PA28181, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and struck snowbank on edge of runway while 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.