# NTSB LAX99LA290: Piper PA-28-235, N8675W, Boulder City, NV, September 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 1999, 17:05 local (Sep 1, 1999, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Boulder City, NV - Coordinates: 35.990722, -114.809822 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9907&lon=-114.8098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA290 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot was departing with a left crosswind that he estimated to be 8 to 10 miles per hour. He said during the takeoff roll, about 55 miles per hour, as he was starting to raise the nose he heard a loud popping noise. That was followed by the right wing dropping, and the airplane making a hard left turn about 30 degrees from the runway heading. During the left turn the left wheel came off the ground and he pulled the engine power. The airplane continued on two wheels and collided with a dirt berm. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 1999, about 1705 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8675W, operated by the student pilot, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The originating flight was destined for Henderson, Nevada. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, about 55 miles per hour, as he was starting to raise the nose he heard a "popping noise." That was followed by the right wing dropping and loss of directional control. The airplane veered to the left colliding with a dirt berm. The airport is uncontrolled. The pilot stated that the winds were approximately 230 degrees at 8 to 10 miles per hour. The pilot said that he had called the Las Vegas Airport Terminal Information Service (ATIS) prior to takeoff. Las Vegas is located about 18 miles northwest of Boulder City; the winds at Las Vegas were reported to be 210 degrees at 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8675W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8675W-2025-08-18), registration cancelled 2025-08-18, S/N 28-10205, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10205 - Airframe hours: 2492 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Lutz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1999, 37 hours before - Departed: 61B, NV - Destination: L15, HENDERSON, NV - Airport: 61B, Boulder City Municipal, runway 27L, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 30 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 18 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 19990831047599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990831047599A), Aug 31, 1999: Piper PA28235, Boulder City, NV, Substantial damage. (.4) The student pilot was departing with a left crosswind that he estimated to be 8 to 10 miles per hour. He said during the takeoff roll, about 55 miles per… ## Other investigations on N8675W (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 WPR23LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA293), Jul 30, 2023: Piper PA-28-235 (N8675W), Port Angeles, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel monitoring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. 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.