# NTSB LAX92LA144: Piper PA28-235, N8840W, Havasu Lake, CA, March 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1992, 10:37 local (18:37 UTC)
- Place: Havasu Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 34.780391, -114.589248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7804&lon=-114.5892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA144

## Probable cause

THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THE CFI'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT, AND THE CFI'S FAILURE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL ACTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER CONDUCTING SOME LOCAL AREA TRAINING MANEUVERS THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT/AIRPLANE OWNER TO PROCEED TO THE AIRPORT TO PRACTICE SOME TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.  ON THE FIRST LANDING THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN NORMALLY, SWERVED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE HAND BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AND EXITED THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8840W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8840W), registered now, S/N 28-10389, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Krill, Bryan
- Registered owner: Krill, Bryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1992
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Airport: 49X, Chemeuevi Valley, runway 34, 5,000 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 30,925 total, 925 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920320011989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920320011989A), Mar 20, 1992: Piper PA28235, Chemehuevi Vall, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway during landing roll and using hand brake. CFI believes left brake grabbed. Not verified.

## Other investigations on N8840W (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 DEN78FQA31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FQA31), Jun 18, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N8840W), Albuquerque, NM, 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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