# NTSB LAX93LA064: Piper PA-32-301T, N8339X, Auburn, CA, December 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1992, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 38.920761, -121.069458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9208&lon=-121.0695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA064

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING IN A RIGHT CROSSWIND THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN FIRST ON THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND THEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. AS THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE GEAR THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND EXITED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CROSSED A DITCH AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 75 FEET LEFT OF CENTERLINE. THE PILOT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 5.2 FLIGHT HOURS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL ALL WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 30 DAYS. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE DITCH WAS LOCATED IN THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA. THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA IS 300 FEET WIDE CENTERED ON THE RUNWAY AND IS SUPPOSED TO ACCOMMODATE THE OCCASIONAL PASSAGE OF AN AIRPLANE WITHOUT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8339X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8339X), registered now, S/N 32-8124012, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32 8124012
- Airframe hours: 1047
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barber, David D.
- Registered owner: Barber, David D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1992, 20 hours before
- Airport: AUN, Auburn, runway 7, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 139 total, 5 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHR, 30 nm away

## 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 19921205049409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921205049409A), Dec 5, 1992: Piper PA32301T, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in light crosswind. Veered off runway into a ditch.

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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