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NTSB Report
July 16, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N40808
Compton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Location
Compton, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N40808
Operator
Smith Claude
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA258
THE STUDENT PLT WAS TAKING HIS 2 GRANDCHILDREN & 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS ON A LOCAL FLT. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LIFT OFF AND CONTINUE IN AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK CLIMB ATTITUDE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE REACHED ABT 150 FT A.G.L. IT STALLED, ENTERED A LEFT SPIN, AND CRASHED. THE POSTCRASH WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN HIS FLYING ON 7/22/79; HE HAD LOGGED 186 HOURS OF WHICH 51 WERE AS PIC.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PLT WAS TAKING HIS 2 GRANDCHILDREN & 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS ON A LOCAL FLT. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LIFT OFF AND CONTINUE IN AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK CLIMB ATTITUDE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE REACHED ABT 150 FT A.G.L. IT STALLED, ENTERED A LEFT SPIN, AND CRASHED. THE POSTCRASH WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN HIS FLYING ON 7/22/79; HE HAD LOGGED 186 HOURS OF WHICH 51 WERE AS PIC.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 PDT
Nearest AirportCOMPTON (0nm N)
Runway25R
Runway Length3760 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN40808
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSmith Claude
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT