# NTSB LAX93LA214: Piper PA-28-180, N3656R, Yuma, AZ, April 20, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 1993, 09:47 local (16:47 UTC) - Place: Yuma, AZ - Coordinates: 32.679306, -114.659141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6793&lon=-114.6591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27970/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA214 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING AND HER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE PILOT'S LOW TOTAL EXPERIENCE, 2) THE FUEL IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE WING FUEL TANKS, AND 3) THE MENTAL PERFORMANCE OVERLOAD CREATED BY THE MULTIPLE RUNWAY ASSIGNMENT CHANGES. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - mental performance overload, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - fuel supply - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - aborted ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WHILE INBOUND TO THE AIRPORT THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS CHANGED HER RUNWAY ASSIGNMENT SEVERAL TIMES AND SHE SAID SHE WAS QUITE TENSE. THE PILOT SAID SHE WAS CONFUSED AND LANDED ON RUNWAY 21L INSTEAD OF 26. JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VEER LEFT. THE PILOT SAID SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT, THE LEFT WING TOUCHED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FULL. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3656R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3656R-2010-05-14), registration cancelled 2010-05-14, S/N 28-5760, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-5760 - Airframe hours: 5960 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Janis K. Johnson-Fitzgeral - Registered owner: Kevin L. Wiley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1993, 63 hours before - Departed: E14, TUCSON, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: YUM, Yuma Interantional, runway 21L, 9,239 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 21 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: YUM, 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 19930420013389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930420013389A), Apr 20, 1993: Piper PA28180, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing. Left wing hit ground. Aircraft cartwheeled. Full left tank. Right empty made imbalance. ## Other investigations on N3656R (3) 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 SEA08CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA026), Nov 12, 2007: Piper PA-28-180 (N3656R), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition, which resulted in his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident included the gusty… - [NTSB MIA76FKQ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKQ06), Aug 11, 1975: Piper PA-28 (N3656R), Greenwood, MS, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW75DQG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DQG36), Dec 31, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N3656R), Shallowater, TX, 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.