# NTSB LAX91LA226: Piper PA28-140, N5777F, Truckee, CA, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Coordinates: 38.520214, -121.440399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5202&lon=-121.4404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA226

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND THE INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL MUSH WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB ACHIEVE AN ABOVE GROUND ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 300 FEET. IT THEN BEGAN A DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF A MILE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 28. THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE WERE EXAMINED. FUEL WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS IDENTIFIED.  BOTH PROPELLER BLADES EXHIBITED LEADING EDGE DAMAGE AND CHORDWISE SCORING.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 7100 FEET AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND TO BE LOADED WITHIN 100 POUNDS OF MAX GROSS WEIGHT.  REVIEW OF THE PREDICTED RATE OF CLIMB DATA IN THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COULD EXPECT A MAXIMUM RATE OF CLIMB OF 290 FEET PER MINUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5777F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5777F-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 28-25083, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25083
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David H. Barrackman
- Registered owner: David H. Barrackman
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: TRK, Truckee, runway 28, 6,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 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 19910527017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527017479A), May 27, 1991: Piper PA28140, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Near gross weight and high density altitude were factors on a stall,crashed on initial climbout.

## Other investigations on N5777F (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW70F0325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0325), Dec 2, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N5777F), Wilderado, TX, substantial damage

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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