# NTSB LAX93LA061: Piper PA-28, N4338N, Novato, CA, December 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1992, 06:25 local (14:25 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.129005, -122.559448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1290&lon=-122.5594&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 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA061

## Probable cause

FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AN INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE INOPERATIVE RUNWAY LIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR (VASI) FIXTURE DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF, BUT AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY SHE WAS ABLE TO DISCERN THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT.  THE PILOT LANDED AFTER COMPLETING THE LOW APPROACH OVER THE RUNWAY.  DURING THE ROLL OUT THE PILOT SAW THE VASI STRUCTURE AND ATTEMPTED TO STEER AROUND IT, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE FIXTURE.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4338N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4338N), registered now, S/N 28-8490049, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8490049
- Airframe hours: 3301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marin Air Service
- Registered owner: Fbn Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1992, 44 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: O56, Novato, runway 13, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 163 total, 4 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 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 19921204049299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921204049299A), Dec 4, 1992: Piper PA28181, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Landed on unlighted airport. Ran off runway and struck VASI lights.

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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