# NTSB LAX92LA150: Piper PA-32-300, N4075R, Austin, NV, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1992, 16:37 local (Mar 16, 1992, 00:37 UTC)
- Place: Austin, NV
- Coordinates: 39.540138, -117.190429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5401&lon=-117.1904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF HIS CONTROL WHEEL DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - windshear
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - failure,total (cause)
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - separation (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT ON SHORT FINAL TO THE AIRSTRIP HE ENCOUNTERED A WINDSHEAR AND DOWNDRAFT. HE ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND AND THE PLASTIC CONTROL WHEEL ON THE LEFT SIDE BROKE INTO TWO SECTIONS AT THE MIDDLE. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND HARD AND VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER HIS CONTROL WHEEL BROKE, HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT BY GRABBING THE WHEEL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLASTIC CONTROL WHEELS IN THIS AIRCRAFT ARE THE SUBJECT OF A REOCCURRING AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (69-22-2), WHICH REQUIRES REPETITIVE DYE PENETRANT INSPECTIONS AT EACH ANNAUL INSPECTION FOR CRACKS IN THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS DISCLOSED THAT THE CONTROL WHEEL WAS INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AD AT THE LAST ANNUAL. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE FACE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF DYE PENETRANT, INDICATING THAT THE CRACK DID NOT EXIST AT THE LAST INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4075R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4075R), registered now, S/N 32-40387, built 1968 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40387
- Airframe hours: 3983
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5C 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Galen M. Reimer
- Registered owner: Air Born Again
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1991, 397 hours before
- Departed: FLX, FALLON, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Pvt Ranch Airstrip, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 18 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19920315009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920315009129A), Mar 15, 1992: Piper PA32300, Austin, NV, Substantial damage. Plastic control wheel broke on go around. Lost control and crashed. Annual shows a d complied. Not verified.

## Other investigations on N4075R (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 DEN76AD025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD025), Dec 4, 1975: Piper PA-32 (N4075R), Delta, CO, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.