# NTSB LAX95LA143: Piper PA-38-112, N23680, Torrance, CA, March 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1995, 16:00 local (Mar 24, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Location: 33.8034° N, 118.3396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ZAMPERINI FLD (TOA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8034&lon=-118.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA143

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper compensation for the existing wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 29L WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT AND LANDED HARD.  THE WINDS WERE FROM 250 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1995, at 1600 hours Pacific standard time, the pilot of a Piper PA-38-112, N23680, experienced a hard landing on runway 29L at Torrance, California.  The aircraft, operated by South Bay Aviation in Torrance, was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.  The winds were from 250 degrees at 18 knots.  The pilot was on a local pleasure flight and had departed the Torrance airport about 35 minutes earlier.

The pilot indicated in his report that he was making a full flap landing to runway 29L at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots.  When directly over the runway threshold at a low altitude, the pilot experienced a sudden downdraft and the aircraft landed hard on the main landing gear with the tail hitting the runway.  The pilot was able to clear the runway and taxi to the ramp area.

The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23680](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23680-2022-06-04), registration cancelled 2022-06-04, S/N 38-81A0153, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0153
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: South Bay Aviation
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Koehler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TOA
- Airport: TOA, Torrance, runway 29, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 193 total, 74 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 19950323005299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950323005299A), Mar 23, 1995: Piper PA38112, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Downdraft on short final uncorrected timely by pilot. Resulted in a hard landing.

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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