# NTSB LAX98LA317: Piper PA-28-150, N5962W, Victorville, CA, May 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1998, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Victorville, CA - Location: 34.5955° N, 117.3827° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS (VCV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5955&lon=-117.3827&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45771/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA317 ## Probable cause The installation of incorrect washers for the brake manifold by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the left brake locking up, which made it impossible for the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot stated that the Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS) was reporting calm winds at the time of the accident. He entered a left downwind for runway 21 and was cleared to land. He reported that as he started the turn from base to final he felt a little crosswind from the west and compensated with rudder and aileron. The pilot stated that he seemed to be set up for a 'perfect straight landing,' but as he touched down, he felt sudden bounce and pull to the left, so he applied right rudder. The aircraft became airborne again and veered to the left, hitting the 3K runway sign marker with the right wing. The mechanic who repaired the aircraft following the accident reported that the left main gear brake had locked up. He stated that he examined the brake manifold and discovered that the washers were oversized, and were actually the washers for the fuel cell. The mechanic opined that the oversized washers could have caused the left brake to remain locked up even though the brakes were not being applied. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1998, at 1000 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-150, N5962W, veered off the runway and collided with runway markers while landing at the Southern California International Airport in Victorville, California. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The cross-country personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, originated at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne, California, about 0900, and was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that the Victorville Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS) was reporting calm winds. He entered a left downwind for runway 21 and was cleared to land. He reported that as he started the turn from base to final he felt a little crosswind from the west and compensated with rudder and aileron. The pilot stated that he seemed to be set up for a "perfect straight landing," but as he touched down, he felt a sudden bounce and pull to the left, so he applied right rudder. The aircraft became airborne again and veered to the left, hitting the 3K runway sign marker with the right wing. The mechanic who repaired the aircraft following the accident reported that the left main gear brake had locked up. He stated that he examined the brake manifold and discovered that the washers were oversized, and were actually the washers for the fuel cell. The mechanic opined that the oversized washers could have caused the left brake to remain locked up even though the brakes were not being applied. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5962W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5962W), registered now, S/N 28-3821, built 1966 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3821 - Airframe hours: 2850 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Reynaldo V. Liwanag - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1997, 38 hours before - Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA - Destination: VCV - Airport: VCV, Southern California Int., runway 21, 9,138 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 124 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19980530044949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980530044949A), May 30, 1998: Piper PA28150, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 30, 1998, at 1000 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-150, N5962W, veered off the runway and collided with runway markers while landing at… 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.