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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 23, 1997 · Piper PA-24-250 · N8203P

Fullerton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N8203P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA019

The pilot reported that the landing was routine through landing touchdown. There was a quartering left crosswind at 12 knots. During rollout, the aircraft veered to the left, and the pilot was unable to keep the aircraft on the runway despite input of right rudder and brake control. Tire skid marks on the runway, made by the nose wheel and right main tires of the aircraft, started about 1,000 feet from the landing threshold. Approximately 500 feet further along the runway, the left main tire mark became visible as the marks angled toward the left edge of the runway. The marks from the right and left main gear converged at the left edge of the runway approximately 200 feet further along the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On October 23, 1997, at 1326 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N8203P, veered off runway 24 during landing at Fullerton Municipal Airport, Fullerton, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1000 MDT. The pilot told the Safety Board that the flight was routine through landing touchdown. During rollout, the aircraft veered to the left and he was unable to keep the aircraft on the runway despite input of right rudder and brake control. On his report to the airport operations office, prepared on the day of the accident, the pilot described the incident as "loss control on roll out - felt gear or brake problem." According to an inspector from the FAA's Long Beach Flight Standards District Office, tire skid marks on runway 24 made by the nose wheel and right main tires of the aircraft started about 1,000 feet from the landing threshold. Approximately 500 feet further along the runway, the left main tire mark became visible as the marks angled toward the left edge of the runway. The marks from the right and left main gear converged at the left edge of the runway approximately 200 feet further along the runway. Witnesses reported to the inspector that the aircraft came to rest approximately 25 feet into the grass area to the left of the runway, heading southeast. There was a quartering left crosswind at 12 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:26 PDT
Nearest AirportFullerton Municipal (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length3121 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN8203P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:37
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data