# NTSB LAX90LA169: Piper PA-30, N505GM, El Monte, CA, May 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1990, 15:51 local (22:51 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.079017, -118.030319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0790&lon=-118.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA169

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY CONFIGURE THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE TAKEOFF PORTION OF A TOUCH AND GO.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ON A LOCAL FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT WITH A SWISS NATIONAL FRIEND, REPORTED TO BE A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT. HE SAID HE PLANNED TO DO A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, BUT NEGLECTED TO RECONFIGURE THE AIRCRAFT AFTER LANDING FOR THE TAKEOFF PORTION. HE APPLIED FULL TAKEOFF POWER WITH FULL FLAPS DOWN AND MIXTURES LEANED. THE OWNER/PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY AND STARTED TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT, HIS REACTION WAS TO RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR AND RETARD THE THROTTLES. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND STARTED THE CRASH SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N505GM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505GM-1991-06-14), registration cancelled 1991-06-14, S/N 30251 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-251
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jonathan D. Smalldridge
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EMT
- Airport: EMT, El Monte, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 883 total, 190 in this make and model, 810 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT, 296 nm away

## 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 19900511015629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900511015629A), May 11, 1990: Piper PA30, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to go around with lean mixture and full flaps. Right engine stalled,lost control below VMC. Cartwheeled.

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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