# NTSB LAX92LA182: Piper PA-22-150, N6907D, Oxnard, CA, April 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1992, 02:25 local (09:25 UTC)
- Place: Oxnard, CA
- Coordinates: 34.230533, -119.070213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2305&lon=-119.0702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA182

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

ONE AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF BOUNCE THREE TIMES, THEN VEER RIGHT. HE OBSERVED SPARKS EMITTING FROM THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LAST BOUNCE. ANOTHER SECURITY GUARD, WHO WAS WORKING THE AIRPORT'S EAST GATE AT ABOUT 0300 HRS, STATED THAT SHE STOPPED TWO MEN THAT WERE RUNNING ACROSS THE AIRPORT. SHE IDENTIFIED THEM AS THE PILOT/OWNER AND THE PASSENGER. SHE DETECTED AN ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON BOTH MEN. THE PILOT TOLD THE GUARD THAT HE AND HIS FRIEND HAD BEEN DRINKING ON THE NEARBY BEACH AND WERE RETURNING TO THEIR MOTOR HOME PARKED IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. THE GUARD OBSERVED A RADIO TRANSCEIVER IN A BAG THEY WERE CARRYING. THE AIRPLANE'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BESIDE THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS BUCKLED REARWARD WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE PROPELLER AND NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE TO STRIKE THE RUNWAY. THE TIPS OF THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE GROUND OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6907D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6907D-2014-11-14), registration cancelled 2014-11-14, S/N 22-4834, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4834
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weilbacher, Christopher J.
- Registered owner: Weilbacher, Christopher J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OXR
- Airport: OXR, Oxnard, runway 25, 5,970 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- 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 19920421010679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920421010679A), Apr 21, 1992: Piper PA22150, Oxnard, CA, Substantial damage. Porpoised on takeoff until nose gear collapsed. Owner ran across airport. Stopped by guard denied flying aircraft.

## Other investigations on N6907D (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 LAX66F0264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0264), Mar 5, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N6907D), Lancaster, 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.

---
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.