NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX93LA079
Registry · N3872C
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
PIPER PA-18-125
Year of manufacture
1951 · 41 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580707
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A477EC
Registrant of record
ROBERTS MICHAEL J
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE AND HIS FAILURE TO TAKE TIMELY REMEDIAL ACTION TO CORRECT A HIGH SINK RATE PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.
Factual narrative
THE PILOT TOLD FAA INSPECTORS THAT HE FLEW TO THE ACCIDENT SITE TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS WHO WERE ON A HUNTING TRIP. HE DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE HIS FRIENDS WERE LOCATED. ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SHEARED OFF THE AIRCRAFT AND STRUCK ONE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, BREAKING BOTH LEGS AND HIS HIP. THE EXAMINING FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT ENDORSED FOR SOLO PRIVILEGES. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1992_LAX93LA079.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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