# NTSB LAX94LA077: Piper PA-28-181, N2501X, San Diego, CA, December 24, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 23, 1993, 16:25 local (Dec 24, 1993, 00:25 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.799182, -117.129356 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7992&lon=-117.1294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA077 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - high wind - object - wire,transmission - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on a long final approach to runway 5 when the flight experienced 'some turbulence and possible wind shear' in the 18 knot headwind and collided with high tension power lines. The power lines are located about 5,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot recovered and completed a landing on the runway. No pilot reports of turbulence or wind shear were noted by the air traffic control tower either before or after the aircraft landed. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 1993, at 1625 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA28-181, N2501X, collided with power lines on final approach to runway 5 at the Montgomery Field airport, San Diego, California. The aircraft, which sustained substantial damage to the propeller, windshield, vertical stabilizer and rudder, completed a full-stop landing at the airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage; however, the certificated private pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Torrance, California, at 1530 hours on the day of the mishap as a cross-country personal flight. The pilot reported in his written statement that he was on a long final approach to runway 5 when the flight experienced "some turbulence and possible wind shear" in the 18 knot headwind and collided with high tension power lines. The power lines are located about 5,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot recovered and completed a landing on the runway. No pilot reports of turbulence or wind shear were noted by the air traffic control tower either before or after the aircraft landed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2501X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2501X-1997-04-08), registration cancelled 1997-04-08, S/N 288590079 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8590079 - Airframe hours: 4048 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flying Club - Registered owner: Kevin E. Teel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1993, 10 hours before - Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 5, 3,402 × 150 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 10 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 18 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MYF, 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 19931223047199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931223047199A), Dec 23, 1993: Piper PA28181, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines one mile short of runway landing. Recovered and made runway. Pilot blamed windshear. Not verified ## Other investigations on N2501X (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 LAX97LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA013), Oct 12, 1996: Piper PA-28-181 (N2501X), San Diego, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the student pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his subsequent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions (power… 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.