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NTSB Report
May 4, 1989 · Piper PA-28-201T · N8133A
Stockton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Stockton, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-201T
Tail Number
N8133A
Operator
Paul J Thurston
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA178
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE MIGHT TRY TO ROLL HIS AIRPLANE DURING HIS RETURN FLIGHT HOME. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING VFR RADAR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES WHILE CRUISING BETWEEN 8,400 AND 8,600 FT. AT 1629:23 THE AIRPLANE'S TRANSPONDER INDICATED IT WAS AT 8,600 FT. 12 SECS LATER IT WAS AT 7,800 FT, AND THEN 4 SECS LATER THE CONTROLLER HEARD AN ELT. AT 1629:45 THE CONTROLLER HEARD A MAYDAY AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING IN A 60-90 DEG NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. BOTH WINGS, VERTICAL STABILIZER, RUDDER, AND STABILATOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO PERFORM AEROBATICS WHICH RESULTED IN THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE BEING EXCEEDED DUE TO EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS AND THE AIRPLANE'S ABILITY, AND HIS LACK OF AEROBATIC FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE MIGHT TRY TO ROLL HIS AIRPLANE DURING HIS RETURN FLIGHT HOME. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING VFR RADAR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES WHILE CRUISING BETWEEN 8,400 AND 8,600 FT. AT 1629:23 THE AIRPLANE'S TRANSPONDER INDICATED IT WAS AT 8,600 FT. 12 SECS LATER IT WAS AT 7,800 FT, AND THEN 4 SECS LATER THE CONTROLLER HEARD AN ELT. AT 1629:45 THE CONTROLLER HEARD A MAYDAY AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING IN A 60-90 DEG NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. BOTH WINGS, VERTICAL STABILIZER, RUDDER, AND STABILATOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-201T
Tail NumberN8133A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPaul J Thurston
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB8 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 13 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourcePILO