# NTSB LAX91LA101: Piper PA28-201T, N47569, So. Lake Tahoe, CA, February 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1991, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: So. Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.8939° N, 119.9953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKE TAHOE (TVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA101

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS, ABRUPTLY FLARED THE AIRPLANE, AND INADVERTENLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS WINDSHEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 18.  THE LOCAL CONTROLLER CAUTIONED THE PILOT OF POSSIBLE WINDSHEAR.  THE WINDS AT THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY WERE 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, BUT THE WINDS AT THE NORTH END WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.  GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FLARED ABRUPTLY AND THEN STALLED.  THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED DIMINISHED RAPIDLY DURING THE FLARE MANEUVER AND THE NOSE PITCHED UP ABRUPTLY AND TURNED RIGHT 45 DEGREES RELATIVE TO THE RUNWAY BEARING. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE-RIGHT AND DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47569](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47569-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 28R-7703400, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7703400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Squadron II Flying Club
- Registered owner: Terry Crum & Robert Shook
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TVL, Tahoe Valley, runway 18, 8,544 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total, 4 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: TVL, 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 19910216002659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910216002659A), Feb 16, 1991: Piper PA28R201T, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. Nosed up on flare for landing. Put nose down. No power. Impact folded nose gear.

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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