# NTSB SEA88LA049: Piper Aerostar 602P, N68915, Lovelock, NV, February 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1988, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lovelock, NV
- Coordinates: 40.319725, -118.19934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3197&lon=-118.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA049

## 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
  - nosewheel steering - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-MULTIENGINE RATED PILOT (LEFT SEAT) EXECUTED A TAKEOFF DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A SLIGHT RIGHT DRIFT. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE NOSE WHEEL STEERING TO CORRECT AND A HARD LEFT SWERVE ENSUED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOLLOWED BY THE AIRCRAFT'S DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT HAD BEEN LED TO BELIEVE BY THE ACCOMPANYING FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (RIGHT SEAT) THAT THE USE OF NOSEWHEEL STEERING WAS ACCEPTABLE DURING TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT 'NOSEWHEEL STEERING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TAKEOFF SINCE THERE IS A TENDENCY TO OVERSTEER THE TAKEOFF RUN'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68915 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 602P (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 62P088281650
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AA1A 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl L. Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1987
- Destination: APC, NAPA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LOL, Derby Field, runway 19, 5,530 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WNC, 60 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 19880213002489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880213002489A), Feb 13, 1988: Piper PA60602P, Lovelock, NV, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Veered off the runway. Student used nosewheel steering. CFI failed to advise.

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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