# NTSB LAX97LA323: Newberg PL-4A, N44PN, Placerville, CA, September 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1997, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729846, -120.80088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7298&lon=-120.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA323

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the rollout phase of the landing sequence, which resulted in a gound swerve.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The experimental airplane ground looped while landing. The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings and reported that, 'On my landing I got a bad bounce from my tail wheel and was too slow in reacting and it got away from me.'

## Factual narrative

On September 12, 1997, at 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental Newberg PL-4A, N44PN, ground looped while landing at the Placerville, California, airport.  The pilot had begun a personal flight from San Carlos, California, and was en route to Carson City, Nevada, with a planned fuel stop in Placerville.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that his first landing at Placerville was "rough" so he decided to practice touch-and-go landings before going on to Carson City.  The pilot said that on his last landing, "I got a bad bounce from my tail wheel and was too slow in reacting and it got away from me."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44PN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44PN-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 154, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NEWBERG PL-4A
- Registry model: [Newberg PAZMANY PL-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/newberg-pazmany-pl-4a) (registry code 0560853) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 154
- Engines: Continental A75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Scribner
- Registered owner: Richard F. Ostercher
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: PVF, CA
- Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 4,201 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 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 19970912037679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970912037679A), Sep 12, 1997: Amtrpz PL4A, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing homebuilt aircraft after a bounce.

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.

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