# NTSB LAX91FA366: Piper PA-32RT-300, N9507C, Van Nuys, CA, August 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1991, 18:11 local (Aug 24, 1991, 01:11 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189628, -118.489791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1896&lon=-118.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 6 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA366

## 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

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - pre-flight
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stabilator - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - intentional, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9507C-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 32R7885051 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885051
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910823036699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910823036699A), Aug 23, 1991: Piper PA32RT300, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed. Apparently over gross and hot day was unable to leave ground effect. Hit tails skid. Aborted. Ran off end of runway

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.