# NTSB LAX95LA244: Piper PA-38-112, N2529A, Rubidoux, CA, July 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1995, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Rubidoux, CA - Location: 33.9846° N, 117.4266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FLABOB (RIR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9846&lon=-117.4266&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29145 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29145/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA244 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation in that he attempted to fly an aircraft without first verifying the aircraft's gross weight and published performance capabilities. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not attained, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK UTILITY LINES ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. FAA INSPECTORS STATED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT KNOW THE EMPTY WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HAD NOT COMPUTED AN AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE. THE PILOT TOLD DEPUTIES THAT HE COULD NOT CLIMB BECAUSE HE WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1995, at 1035 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2529A, sustained substantial damage after striking utility lines during takeoff at Rubidoux, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger was injured. The flight originated from the Flabob airport at 1034 on the day of the accident. The pilot reported that after liftoff from runway 24, the aircraft rate of climb leveled off when he reached approximately 50 feet agl. He stated that in spite of his continued efforts to maintain a climb airspeed and attitude, the aircraft eventually struck overhead utility lines situated on rising terrain about 1.5 miles from the departure end of the runway. The downed utility lines ignited a grass fire. The pilot also stated that although he was able to maintain about 63 knots (IAS), he was unwilling to turn back toward the airport since he believed any attempted turns at that airspeed would have resulted in a stall/spin. FAA inspectors stated that the pilot did not know the empty weight of the aircraft and had not computed an aircraft weight and balance. It was also unknown how many gallons of fuel were onboard at the time of departure. The pilot stated that he weighed 180 pounds and that his passenger weighed between 210 and 220 pounds. The Riverside County Deputy Sheriff, who had responded to the scene, reported that the pilot told him "I was over gross weight and couldn't climb." The Riverside weather observation did not include temperature as part of the 1046 weather observation; however, the Ontario weather observation included 86 degrees as the current temperature at 1046. Density altitude based on the Ontario temperature and corrected for the Riverside non-standard pressure was 3,670 feet. Winds were reported from 270 degrees at 5 knots. The inspector said the tires of the tricycle gear aircraft appeared underinflated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2529A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2529A-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 38-78A0732, built 1956 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0732 - Airframe hours: 3342 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John P. Dibble - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1994, 94 hours before - Departed: RIR - Airport: RIR, Flabob, runway 24, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RAL, 2 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 19950709017189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950709017189A), Jul 9, 1995: Piper PA38112, Riverside/Rubid, CA, Substantial damage. Over gross weight. Failed to clear power line a mile and half from airport. Downed wires ignited a grass fire. ## Other investigations on N2529A (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 CHI71FBJ59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBJ59), Mar 3, 1971: Piper PA-22 (N2529A), Lawton, MI, 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.