# NTSB LAX91LA267: Piper PA 28-161, N3573X, Auburn, CA, June 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1991, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 38.919364, -121.069076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9194&lon=-121.0691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA267

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF AN EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED FOR THE FINAL APPROACH, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD LAND LONG ON THE RUNWAY.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LIMITED TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ON HER THIRD SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  SHE STATED IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT THE APPROACH ANGLE DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT AT AUBURN SEEMED NORMAL, HOWEVER, HER SPEED WAS TOO HIGH.  THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN THE 3,100 FOOT LONG RUNWAY AND SHE SAID THAT JUST AFTER TOUCH DOWN SHE REALIZED THAT INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO AROUND, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT GET AIRBORNE AND IT COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3573X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3573X-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N 288016194 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016194
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Petaluma Aeroventure
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 069, PETALUMA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AUN, Auburn, runway 25, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 32 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910621023449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910621023449A), Jun 21, 1991: Piper PA28161, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Landed fast. Unable to stop. Began belated go around. Ran off end of runway and collided with ground obstructions.

## Other investigations on N3573X (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 LAX84LA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA457), Aug 26, 1984: Piper PA-28-161 (N3573X), Truckee, CA, 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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