# NTSB LAX96FA095: Piper J2, N17261, Lancaster, CA, January 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1996, 16:45 local (Jan 13, 1996, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.72039, -118.479911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7204&lon=-118.4799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29251 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96FA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29251/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA095 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering from crosswind to downwind after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings at a private dirt airstrip. A pilot witness observed the airplane turning from crosswind to downwind at what appeared to be a slow airspeed at an estimated altitude of 250 feet agl. The witness said the airplane appeared to stall, roll off on the left wing, and pitch down into the ground. Ground impact signatures indicated that the airplane rotated about 180 degrees after stalling. The weather was VFR with calm winds. No preimpact discrepancies were found during an examination of the aircraft and engine. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 12, 1996, about 1645 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper J2 cub, N17261, was destroyed following an in-flight loss of control during traffic pattern operations at a private airstrip in Lancaster, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot succumbed to his injuries 2 days after the accident. The flight originated at the airstrip about 1630 with the pilot performing touch-and-go landings. A pilot witness on the ground observed the airplane about 250 to 300 feet agl turning from crosswind to downwind. The witness said the aircraft appeared to be slower than normal, then it appeared to stall, roll off to the left, pitch down, and impact the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated about 1,105 total flight hours with the last entry on December 9, 1995. According to the airplane co-owners, they estimated that the pilot had flown the accident airplane a total of about 60 flight hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was manufactured as a 1936 Taylor Cub, which later became part of Piper Aircraft. According to records, the airplane had accumulated about 1,623 total hours of operation. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the wreckage occurred after the airplane had been moved to a storage location. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined and documented the airplane at the accident site prior to removal. The horizontal stabilizer trim jackscrew was found trimmed to a full nose-up configuration. The trim system was tested during the examination and was found to be functional. The co-owners stated that the stick force to overpower a maximum trim either up or down in this airplane was not excessive due to the low airspeeds that the airplane flew. They stated that they normally kept the trim in the neutral position for all operations. Control continuity was established to all flight controls. All components of the airplane were accounted for except for one outboard section of a propeller blade and brass tip assembly. The accident site was revisited in an attempt to locate the blade section without success. The engine, carburetor, and fuel system were disassembled for examination. After a minor adjustment to the magneto points to correct for impact damage, the magneto was successfully sparked by hand rotation. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot succumbed to his injuries on January 14, 1996. An autopsy was performed by the Los Angeles County Coroner. Toxicological tests were not performed. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Safety Board did not take possession of the wreckage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17261](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17261), registered now, S/N 927, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J2 - Registry model: [Taylor J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylor-j-2) (registry code 7100412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A40 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a40-series) (registry code 17001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 927 - Airframe hours: 1623 - Engines: Continental A-40-4 37 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Palmer J. Swanson - Registered owner: Grimes, Swanson And Roehm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 6, 1,800 × 40 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,105 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 150 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19960112000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960112000459A), Jan 12, 1996: Aerors J2, Lancaster, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled in pattern. Found full nose trim. No mechanical. 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.