# NTSB LAX99LA148: Piper PA-28-161, N8466F, Van Nuys, CA, April 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1999, 17:00 local (Apr 15, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.189807, -118.490432 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1898&lon=-118.4904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46134/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA148 ## Probable cause The check pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight and his failure to ensure that an adequate altitude margin existed during the maneuver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - high vegetation - emergency procedure - simulated, check pilot - altitude/clearance - not maintained, check pilot (cause) - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to conduct a biennial flight review. The private pilot and check pilot had spent an hour in the traffic pattern reviewing takeoffs, landings, and emergency procedures. The check pilot reported that the private pilot had conducted the maneuvers satisfactorily, and he requested that the private pilot take him to the accident location to simulate engine out procedures. Once at the accident location, the check pilot reduced the power to idle and instructed the pilot to conduct the approach on a dirt road. The check pilot reported that at 50 feet agl, he was satisfied with the maneuver and instructed the pilot to go around. The private pilot stated that he applied full power to go around, but the airspeed and the aircraft were too low and the application of power could not arrest the rate of descent prior to contacting the ground. The check pilot said that the pilot did not react to his request to discontinue the maneuver and froze on the controls. The check pilot was unable to gain control of the aircraft prior to it touching down off the dirt road and striking a dirt mound in the grass. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the aircraft or engine by either of the pilots. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1999, at 1700 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8466F, collided with terrain while simulating an engine out procedure during a biennial flight review near Van Nuys, California. The aircraft, operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and check pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the biennial flight review and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated at the Van Nuys airport at 1500. In an interview with the private pilot, he stated that the check pilot had simulated an engine failure by retarding the throttle to idle. He said that when he applied full power to go-around, the airspeed and the aircraft were too low and the "application of full power could not arrest the sink rate the aircraft was experiencing." The pilot reported that the landing was not hard, but that the aircraft landed in high vegetation and may have struck a dirt mound because the landing gear was torn off. In an interview with the check pilot, he stated that they had been in the traffic pattern for approximately 1 hour conducting takeoffs, landings, and emergency procedures. He then had the private pilot take him to the accident location to simulate engine out procedures. At 2,600 feet agl, the check pilot reduced the power to idle and instructed the pilot to conduct the approach along a dirt road. At 50 feet agl he was satisfied with the maneuver and instructed the pilot to go-around. The pilot froze on the controls and the check pilot was unable to gain control of the aircraft before it touched down off the dirt road. The check pilot stated that the landing was not hard but that the aircraft did land in tall grass and struck something. Both pilots stated that the winds were from 090 degrees at 10 knots. The simulated landing was made into the wind. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8466F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8466F), registered now, S/N 28-7716006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716006 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wayne T. Hellstrom - Registered owner: Bruce L. Hellstrom - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 21, 1998, 55 hours before - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 181 total, 27 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 2 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 19990414003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990414003509A), Apr 14, 1999: Piper PA28161, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under uknown circumstances in bell canyon after doing pattern work at the Van Nuys practice area. (From .19) on April 14, 1999, at 1630 hours… 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.