# NTSB LAX90LA108: Piper PA-32-R-300, N38908, Sacramento, CA, January 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1990, 19:45 local (Jan 20, 1990, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.580581, -121.370468 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5806&lon=-121.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA108

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A LARGE BIRD DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS WHILE IN THE LANDING PATTERN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - flight control,elevator surface - foreign object damage (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA32 ENCOUNTERED A LARGE BIRD WHILE ON DOWNWIND FOR LANDING. THE BIRD IMPACTED THE HORIZONTAL ELEVATOR CAUSING IT TO BIND. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SAFELY WITH NO MORE DIFFICULTIES. THE DAMAGE TO THE ELEVATOR REQUIRED ITS REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38908](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38908), registered now, S/N 32R-7780487, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-R-300 (PA-32-R-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780487
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Disbrow, Eric
- Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,603 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °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 19900119005719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900119005719A), Jan 19, 1990: Piper PA32R300, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a large bird in traffic pattern at night. Impact damaged elevators imparing control but landed safely.

## Other investigations on N38908 (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 LAX99LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA201), May 28, 1999: Piper PA-32R-300 (N38908), Valley Springs, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure and separation of the No. 6 connecting rod end cap, which led to a catastrophic failure of the engine. The fatigue crack initiation was due to galling on the rod end cap, which…

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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