# NTSB WPR23LA091: Piper PA-28-180, N9687J, San Diego, CA, January 15, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 15, 2023, 10:30, time zone not recorded - Place: San Diego, CA · KMYF - Coordinates: 32.813613, -117.1417 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8136&lon=-117.1417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106598/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106598 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA091 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering to another runway after the engine cowling opened shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the student pilot and flight instructor to conduct an adequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: fasteners](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that prior to his arrival, the student pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane. The flight instructor then visually inspected the airplane and did not observe any anomalies. On the takeoff roll, with the student pilot at the controls, the left side of the engine cowling opened just after rotation. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and reduced the engine’s power setting to relieve stress on the cowling and abort the take off. However, the flight instructor determined that “was not the solution,” applied full power to the engine and elected to initiate a turn toward an alternate runway. The airplane continued to descend and was unable to reach the alternate runway. The flight instructor landed the airplane in muddy terrain off the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane’s right main landing gear separated, and the right wing impacted the surface, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9687J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9687J-2023-09-06), registration cancelled 2023-09-06, S/N 28-3863, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3863 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3025 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher Cardoza, doing business as Christopher Cardoza - Registered owner: N9687j LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 24, 2022 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: KTOA, Torrence, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive AIrport, runway 28L, 3,401 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,132 total, 259 in this make and model, 1,026 as pilot in command, 328 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 26 total, 25 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KMYF - METAR: KMYF 151753Z 29012KT 8SM SCT012 SCT055 BKN085 14/11 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP135 60000 T01390106 10144 20122 53013= ## 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 20230115000499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230115000499A), Jan 15, 2023: Piper PA-28-180, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. On Friday 1/13/2023 flight instructor / pilot in command (PIC) [privacy data omitted] had prepared for a flight in [privacy data omitted] with a student at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106598. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14991468&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA091_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Attached statement from flight instructor (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15073576&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attached%20Statement%20from%20flight%20instructor-Rel.pdf - NOTAM attachment from flight instructor (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15073734&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attached%20Notams%20from%20flight%20instructor-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14991930&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA091%20_%20508-Rel.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.