- Date
- August 23, 1991, 18:11 local (Aug 24, 1991, 01:11 UTC)
- Place
- Van Nuys, CA
- Injuries
- 6 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- N9507CPiper PA-32RT-300
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 22, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910823036699A
- Case key
- 27022
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
(1) The pilot's improper preflight preparation; (2) the pilot's failure to follow the airplane manufacturer's performance data by his selection of an improper flap position for takeoff; and (3) the pilot's choice of a runway too short for a safe takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: (1) the pilot's total lack of experience in the airplane which was manifested by his improper positioning of the wing flaps; and (2) the pilot's improper stabilator control usage during rotation for takeoff.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The recently certificated commercial pilot loaded the airplane to approximately its maximum certificated gross weight. He then attempted to takeoff using one notch of wing flaps on the 4,000 foot long runway. An 8,000 foot long runway was available. It was a hot (98 deg. F.) day and during the ground roll the pilot overrotated, scraped the tail skid, and elected to abort the takeoff. Insufficient distance remained to stop. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, collided with a fence and a dirt bank, and then caught on fire. Prior to the flight, the pilot's total 'in command' experience in the airplane was 1.0 hour. Performance data indicated that using proper control inputs and using two notches of wing flaps, the airplane might have successfully been able to takeoff using the shorter runway.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9507C
- Reported as
- Piper PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32R-7885051
- Engine
- Lycoming I0-540-K1G5D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- San-Val Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
- Destination
- LAS · Las Vegas, NV
- Airport
- VNY · Van Nuys, runway 34, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 19
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 561 total · 3 in this make and model · 363 as pilot in command · 45 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 99 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- VNY, 1 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.