# NTSB LAX90LA152: Piper PA-28-161, N2110D, Chandler, AZ, April 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1990, 18:20 local (Apr 24, 1990, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.479412, -111.780937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4794&lon=-111.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA152

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLING THE AIRCRAFT AND AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PERFORM A STALL RECOVERY. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND STUDENT'S ANXIETY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT RELATED THAT SHE WAS ON HER SECOND SOLO FLIGHT AND HAD PLANNED TO PERFORM SOME TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS THEN DEPART THE AIRPORT TO THE SOUTH FOR SOME AIR WORK. UPON COMPLETION OF THE PLANNED AIR WORK, SHE ATTEMPTED TO FIND THE AIRPORT AND STATED THAT SHE HAD DIFFICULTIES FINDING THE AIRPORT AND POSSIBLY OVERFLEW IT. WHEN SHE FOUND THE AIRPORT, SHE SAID THAT SHE BECAME CONCERNED WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL STATUS AND ABOUT TRAFFIC AROUND THE AIRPORT. SHE STATED THAT SHE GOT 'LOW' ON HER APPROACH AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE '...DID NOT SOUND RIGHT.' THE PILOT STATED: 'I KNOW THAT I WAS TOO LOW BECAUSE BOTH VASI LIGHTS WERE RED. THAT IS WHEN I MUST HAVE PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROLS AND STALLED THE PLANE. AN AIR WORTHINESS INSPECTOR FROM THE SCOTTSDALE (ARIZONA) FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE (FAA) INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE ENGINE TO HAVE LOST POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2110D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2110D-1991-06-13), registration cancelled 1991-06-13, S/N 287916143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916143
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 22, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 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 19900423010339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900423010339A), Apr 23, 1990: Piper PA28161, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Low on final pulled up abruptly and stalled. Impacted short.

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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