# NTSB LAX96LA027: Piper PA-28-150, N5870W, Mecca, CA, October 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1995, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Mecca, CA - Coordinates: 33.550971, -115.969154 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5510&lon=-115.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA027 ## Probable cause the pilot/applicant's failure to maintain a glide path angle sufficient to maintain adequate clearance from all obstructions, and the examiner's inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - emergency procedure - simulated, check pilot - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause) ## Analysis The flight was a private pilot practical flight test with a designated examiner. The examiner said he gave the applicant a simulated engine failure and the pilot set up for an approach to a field. As the aircraft neared the ground, the examiner noted the aircraft was low and told the pilot to add some power. The pilot did not immediately respond and the aircraft collided with trees and power lines, then the ground on a railroad right of way. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 1995, at 1445 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-150, N5870W, collided with trees, power lines, and fence posts near Mecca, California, during a practice power-off forced landing. The aircraft was rented by the pilot for a private pilot practical flight test with a designated examiner. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The student pilot and the pilot examiner sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from the Thermal, California, airport on the day of the accident at 1400 as a local area instructional flight. In oral and written statements, the examiner said he gave the applicant a practice engine failure and the student set up for an approach to a field. As the aircraft neared the ground, the examiner noted the aircraft was low and told the pilot to add some power. The student did not immediately respond and the aircraft collided with trees and power lines, then the ground on a railroad right of way. The aircraft and engine were examined by Safety Board investigators after recovery from the site. No mechanical discrepancies were found in any system or component. Copies of examination reports are attached for detailed information. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5870W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5870W-1996-03-20), registration cancelled 1996-03-20, S/N 282475 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2745 - Airframe hours: 3133 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wallace C. Hale - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1995, 85 hours before - Departed: TRM, THERMAL, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 163 total, 158 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 8 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 19951028034899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951028034899A), Oct 28, 1995: Piper PA28150, Mecca, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with trees, powerline, fence during practice forced landing. Examiner on board for private flight test. 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.