# NTSB LAX95LA241: Piper PA-28-180, N7658W, Thermal, CA, June 29, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1995, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.479381, -116.099433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4794&lon=-116.0994&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 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA241

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while executing a touch-and-go.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT WHILE LANDING DURING HIS 14TH TOUCH-AND-GO, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND HE COULD NOT REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE'S GROUND SPEED WAS BELOW 50 KNOTS AND THE STUDENT PILOT DECIDED THAT A GO-AROUND WAS UNSAFE. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND INTO THE DIRT. DAMAGE TO THE NOSE GEAR, FIREWALL, AND RIGHT WING SPAR RESULTED. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD LOGGED 75 TOTAL HOURS, WITH 10 OF THOSE HOURS BEING SOLO. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 1995, at 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7658W, veered off the runway following a loss of control while executing a touch-and-go at Thermal Airport, Thermal, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Palm Springs, California, on the day of the accident at 1330 as a local area solo instructional operation.

In his written report, the student pilot stated that while landing during his 14th touch-and-go on runway 12, the airplane veered to the left and he could not regain directional control.  The airplane's ground speed was below 50 knots and the student pilot decided that a go-around was unsafe.  The airplane continued to skid to the left into the dirt.  Damage to the nose gear, firewall, and right wing spar resulted.  The student pilot had logged 65 total hours, with 10 of those hours being solo.  No mechanical problems were reported by the student pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7658W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7658W-1997-11-25), registration cancelled 1997-11-25, S/N 281558 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1558
- Airframe hours: 2914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Sidenfaden
- Registered owner: Bill Linda Howell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: TRM, CA
- Airport: TRM, Thermal Airport, runway 12, 4,993 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 43 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM

## 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 19950629016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950629016699A), Jun 29, 1995: Piper PA28180, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during touch and go. Skidded off runway into dirt.

## Other investigations on N7658W (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 LAX69F0216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0216), Dec 11, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N7658W), Huntingtn Bch, CA, 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.

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