# NTSB LAX96LA313: Piper PA-46-310P, N9130N, Redlands, CA, August 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1996, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Redlands, CA - Coordinates: 34.060825, -117.170074 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0608&lon=-117.1701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA313 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper weather evaluation. The uphill runway condition and weather associated with thunderstorm(s) were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor) - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The pilot departed runway 08 during local thunderstorm activity. The runway had an uphill gradient of 2.2 percent. The pilot reported the winds were from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots. He said that during takeoff, he raised the gear at approximately 50 feet agl and retracted the flaps. Except for light turbulence, the takeoff was uneventful until the airplane reached an altitude of about 75 to a 100 feet agl. At about that time, the airplane started descending. The pilot applied full power and increased the pitch attitude, but was unable to arrest the descent. When the pilot realized the airplane was going to contact the ground, he extended the landing gear. Before the landing gear was fully extended, the propeller struck the runway. The pilot noted a resultant vibration and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane then traveled beyond the departure end of the runway and encountered rocky terrain. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1996, about 1445 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA46-310P, N9130N, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Redlands, California. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 08 due to winds associated with thunderstorm activity just north of the airport. He stated that the winds were steady at 10 to 15 knots out of the southeast. He stated that he raised the gear at approximately 50 feet agl and retracted the flaps. The takeoff was uneventful except for light turbulence until he reached an altitude of about 75 to 100 feet agl. At that time, the aircraft started descending. The pilot applied full power and increased the pitch attitude. The airplane then settled back down and the propeller blade tips contacted the runway. Due to vibration the pilot extended the landing gear and reduced the power. The airplane came to rest beyond the end of the runway in an area of rocky terrain. According to the Airport Master Record, FAA form 5010-1, runway 08 has an uphill gradient of 2.2 percent. Witnesses reported a thunderstorm in the area of the airport at the time of the accident with variable gusting winds. The nearest official weather reporting station is located at March AFB, 16 miles south. They were reporting cumulonimbus clouds to the north with visible lightening. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9130N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9130N-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 4608075, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-310P - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4608075 - Airframe hours: 1533 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550-C1B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Saf T Seal Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1996, 60 hours before - Departed: L12, CA - Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA - Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal, runway 8, 4,505 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,780 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,780 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 16 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 19960823024079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960823024079A), Aug 23, 1996: Piper PA46310P, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. Took off to avoid thunderstorm west. Settled on climbout. Hit prop. Aborted. Ran off into rocks. Variable gusts. ## Other investigations on N9130N (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 NYC07FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA009), Oct 19, 2006: Piper PA-46-310P (N9130N), Odenton, MD, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during the approach. Contributing was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land the airplane after being informed by air traffic… 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.