# NTSB WPR13CA367: Piper PA-24-250, N7720P, Hesperia, CA, August 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2013, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Hesperia, CA - Coordinates: 34.376945, -117.315834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3769&lon=-117.3158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87753/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87753 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA367 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed on final approach to landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that on final approach, the airplane was too low and too slow when it stalled and landed hard on the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that on final approach, the airplane was too low and too slow when it stalled and landed hard on the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7720P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7720P-2017-01-09), registration cancelled 2017-01-09, S/N 24-2933, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2933 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fresquez Ronald R - Registered owner: Fresquez Ronald R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: El Monte, CA - Destination: L26, Hesperia, CA - Airport: L26, Hesperia Airport, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 200 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 13 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 20130811014279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130811014279A), Aug 11, 2013: Piper PA-24-250, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed kemt going to L26. Prior to touchdown to runway 21 at L26, the aircraft stalled over the runway. The aircraft impacted the runway causing… ## Other investigations on N7720P (2) 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 OAK7LDVA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK7LDVA10), Aug 28, 1975: Piper PA-24 (N7720P), Wasco, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC66F0394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0394), Dec 26, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N7720P), Richmond, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87753. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Passenger Interview (item 2, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Passenger%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - FAA Pilot Interview (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - FAA Witness Interview (item 4, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Witness%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation with the Pilot #1 (item 5, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot%20%231-Master.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation with the Pilot #2 (item 6, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot%20%232-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of the airplane damage. Courtesy of the FAA. (item 7, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20airplane%20damage.%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA.-Master.PDF 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.