# NTSB LAX91LA327: Piper PA-32-300, N72JP, Reno, NV, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.480422, -119.739097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4804&lon=-119.7391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA327

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF HIS AIRPLANE AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLLOUT ON RUNWAY 34L THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS AIRPLANE BEGAN 'FISH TAILING', AND HE LOST CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE 150 FOOT WIDE BY 10,002 FOOT LONG RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A BERM. NINETEEN MINUTES LATER THE TOWER REPORTED THE LOCAL WIND WAS FROM 300 DEGREES, AT 16 KNOTS. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72JP-1992-02-07), registration cancelled 1992-02-07, S/N 327640117 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7640117
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Pastuszek
- Registered owner: Joseph Pastuszek
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RNO, Reno Cannon Intl, runway 34, 10,002 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,292 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 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 19910724029839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910724029839A), Jul 24, 1991: Piper PA32300, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Lost control after over-controlling on gusty surface wind landing. Veered off runway and collided with a berm.

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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