# NTSB LAX91LA177: Piper PA28-236, N2915G, Gualala, CA, April 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1991, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Gualala, CA
- Coordinates: 38.819705, -123.510993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8197&lon=-123.5110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA177

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY USE THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A GUSTY, CROSSWIND CONDITION FROM THE NORTH/NORTHWEST DURING THE LANDING FLARE ON RUNWAY 31. THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY INPUT THE CORRECT FLIGHT CONTROL RESPONSE AND UPON LANDING HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WINDS WERE FORM THE NORTH/NORTHWEST AT 15 KNOTS GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2915G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2915G), registered now, S/N 28-7911243, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911243
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: T.J. Bielen, Jr., Inc.
- Registered owner: T.J. Bielen, Jr., Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: Q69, Ocean Ridge, runway 31, 2,450 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 400 total, 228 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 345° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19910411010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910411010109A), Apr 11, 1991: Piper PA28235, Gualala, CA, Substantial damage. Wind gust on flare caused pilot to lose directional control and collide with a dirt embankment.

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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