Piper PA-38-112 accident near Julian, California, June 29, 1989
On June 29, 1989 at about 2:00 am local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N23687, was substantially damaged in an accident near Julian, California (Aqua Caliente Sags airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT THE PROPER RUNWAY FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND WHEN TOUCHDOWN AT THE PROPER POINT WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1989 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Julian, California · Aqua Caliente Sags · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N23687 · no longer on the register · serial 38-81A0154
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS LANDING TO THE SOUTHEAST AND UNAWARE OF THE DOWNWIND CONDITIONS (WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT AN ESTIMATED 12 TO 15 KNOTS). HE ESTIMATED HIS AIRSPEED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 20 KNOTS HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN BEYOND THE HALF WAY POINT OF THE 2500 FOOT AIRSTRIP. HE DETERMINED THAT A GO-AROUND WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE AND VEERED THE ACFT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT NOSE GEAR SANK INTO SOFT TERRAIN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 87 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 1:20 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.