# NTSB LAX96LA202: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21312, Kernville, CA, May 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1996, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Kernville, CA - Coordinates: 35.729995, -118.389533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7300&lon=-118.3895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29445/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA202 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the downdraft condition and subsequent failure to maintain a proper rate of descent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - downdraft - proper descent rate - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear - overload - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis According to the pilot, his initial approach to runway 17 appeared normal. However, a downdraft was encountered as he crossed over the runway numbers, and the airplane made a hard touchdown. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the runway and down an embankment. The pilot reported that the local wind was from the south-southwest at 15 to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1996, at 1250 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21312, owned and operated by the pilot, had the landing collapse while landing on runway 17 at the Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The airplane slid off the runway and down an embankment. The airplane was destroyed, and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated from Santa Monica, California, at 1150. According to the pilot, his initial approach to runway 17 appeared normal. However, a downdraft was encountered as he crossed over the runway numbers. The pilot reported that the local wind was from the south-southwest at 15 to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21312](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21312-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 32R7887199, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7887199 - Airframe hours: 2700 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory S. Garber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1996, 80 hours before - Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Destination: L05 - Airport: L05, Kern Valley, runway 17, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total, 215 in this make and model, 109 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19960517010739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960517010739A), May 17, 1996: Piper PA32RT300T, Kernville, CA, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft over numbers landing. Impact collapsed landing gear. Aircraft slid down embankment. Destroyed ## Other investigations on N21312 (2) 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 MIA00LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA049), Dec 13, 1999: Piper PA-32RT-300T (N21312), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain minimum flying airspeed, (Vso) during takeoff following a partial loss of engine power resulting in the aircraft stalling, an uncontrolled descent, and collision… - [NTSB BFO88FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA060), Jun 27, 1988: Piper PA-32RT-300T (N21312), Cambridge, MD, 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.