Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX92LA182

OXNARD, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N6907D

PIPER PA-22-150

Analysis

ONE AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF BOUNCE THREE TIMES, THEN VEER RIGHT. HE OBSERVED SPARKS EMITTING FROM THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LAST BOUNCE. ANOTHER SECURITY GUARD, WHO WAS WORKING THE AIRPORT'S EAST GATE AT ABOUT 0300 HRS, STATED THAT SHE STOPPED TWO MEN THAT WERE RUNNING ACROSS THE AIRPORT. SHE IDENTIFIED THEM AS THE PILOT/OWNER AND THE PASSENGER. SHE DETECTED AN ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON BOTH MEN. THE PILOT TOLD THE GUARD THAT HE AND HIS FRIEND HAD BEEN DRINKING ON THE NEARBY BEACH AND WERE RETURNING TO THEIR MOTOR HOME PARKED IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. THE GUARD OBSERVED A RADIO TRANSCEIVER IN A BAG THEY WERE CARRYING. THE AIRPLANE'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BESIDE THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS BUCKLED REARWARD WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE PROPELLER AND NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE TO STRIKE THE RUNWAY. THE TIPS OF THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE GROUND OFF.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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