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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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May 5, 1985 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5166W

Springville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Springville, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5166W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA242

AFTER OVERFLYING THE UNCHARTED, PRIVATE AIRSTRIP & EVALUATING ITS SIZE, THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE NARROW RWY. ONLY ABOUT 900 FT OF THE RWY WAS USABLE. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE PLT REALIZED THE ACFT COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE REMAINING AVAILABLE STRIP, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT IT WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN BEYOND A SMALL VALLEY AT THE END OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & CRASHED IN A MEADOW ABOUT 600 YARDS FROM THE LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

AFTER OVERFLYING THE UNCHARTED, PRIVATE AIRSTRIP & EVALUATING ITS SIZE, THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE NARROW RWY. ONLY ABOUT 900 FT OF THE RWY WAS USABLE. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE PLT REALIZED THE ACFT COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE REMAINING AVAILABLE STRIP, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT IT WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN BEYOND A SMALL VALLEY AT THE END OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & CRASHED IN A MEADOW ABOUT 600 YARDS FROM THE LANDING AREA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 PDT
Nearest AirportSequoia Ranch (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length900 ft
Runway Width8 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5166W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data