# NTSB LAX90LA114: Piper J3, N21677, Palo Alto, CA, March 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1990, 11:56 local (19:56 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449787, -122.099998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4498&lon=-122.1000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA114

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY NOT COMPENSATING FOR CHANGING WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON RUNWAY 30 WITH THE WINDS FROM 230 TO 280 DEGREES AT 8 GUSTING TO 12 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT AND IT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO ITS COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21677](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21677), registered now, S/N 2561, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2561
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PAO
- Destination: PAO
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 218 total, 24 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- 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 19900310003699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900310003699A), Mar 10, 1990: Piper J3C65, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to land in gusty crosswind. Wind gust raised a wing, tried to correct and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N21677 (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 LAX86LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA264), Jun 22, 1986: Piper J-3 (N21677), Columbia, CA, substantial damage

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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