# NTSB LAX92LA099: Piper PA-30, N8662Y, Pacoima, CA, January 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1992, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Location: 34.2593° N, 118.4134° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WHITEMAN (WHP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2593&lon=-118.4134&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNLOCKED NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - door - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - door - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE BAGGAGE DOOR CAME OPEN. THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, BUT THE REMAINING RUNWAY WAS INSUFFICIENT TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY STEERED THE AIRPLANE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY TO AVOID A STONE WALL AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR DISCLOSED THAT ITS LOCKING MECHANISM WAS ONLY PARTIALLY ENGAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8662Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8662Y), registered now, S/N 30-1804, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1804
- Airframe hours: 2642
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, James A.
- Registered owner: Smith, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1991, 42 hours before
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 12, 3,960 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 750 in this make and model, 3,150 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19920123001079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920123001079A), Jan 23, 1992: Piper PA30, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. Nose baggage door opened on takeoff roll. Aborted,steered off runway to avoid stone wall. Left wing struck a tree.

## Other investigations on N8662Y (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 NYC73FHD17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FHD17), Oct 18, 1972: Piper PA-30 (N8662Y), Philadelphia, PA, 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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