# NTSB LAX93LA187: Piper PA-28-181, N83364, Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1993, 09:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.079067, -115.140449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0791&lon=-115.1404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA187

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TOUCHDOWN.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN THE WING FUEL TANKS.

## 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
  - fuel supply - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH A TAXIWAY SIGN AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST ON THE RIGHT PAVEMENT EDGE. IN A VERBAL STATEMENT TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT BANKED TO THE LEFT IN THE LANDING FLARE AND TOUCHED DOWN WITH A HEADING ABOUT 45 DEGREES OFF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS WHO REPORTED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK. NO OTHER AIRCRAFT ABNORMALITIES WERE REPORTED. ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION AT THE AIRPORT, THE WINDS WERE CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NO UNUSUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE NOTED BY THE TOWER OR REPORTED BY OTHER PILOTS. THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATE 24 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83364](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83364), registered now, S/N 28-8390035, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8390035
- Airframe hours: 4578
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Royal Aviation
- Registered owner: William O. Scholes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 26, 1992, 68 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: LAS, Maccarren Interannational, runway 19, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 4 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 1 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 19930426010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930426010609A), Apr 26, 1993: Piper PA28181, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Left wing dropped on landing flare. Lost control,veered off into a sign. Full selector right empty tank. Left full.

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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