On April 8, 1986, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N5889V) was involved in an aviation accident near Hesperia, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with the airport perimeter fence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot on a solo instructional flight collided with an airport perimeter fence while attempting to land on a runway with a displaced threshold.
What happened
During a solo instructional flight, the student pilot attempted to land on a runway that was 3,910 feet long. The runway featured a landing threshold that had been displaced by 550 feet. Wind conditions at the time were light and variable. As the aircraft approached the runway on short final, it was low. The aircraft subsequently collided with the airport's perimeter fence.
The investigation
Records indicate that the student pilot had accumulated a total of 11.9 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time and 52.7 hours of dual flight time at the time of the accident.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the aircraft's low altitude on short final approach during the landing attempt. This resulted in the collision with the airport perimeter fence.
Probable cause
the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with the airport perimeter fence.
What happened in the 8 Apr 1986 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Hesperia, CA?
A student pilot on a solo instructional flight collided with an airport perimeter fence while attempting to land on a runway with a displaced threshold.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Apr 1986 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N5889V, at Hesperia, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with the airport perimeter fence.
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