Piper PA-28-236 accident near Santa Ana, California, August 4, 1996
On August 4, 1996 at about 11:16 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-236, registered N8124S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Santa Ana, California (John Wayne airport). It was a public-use 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 pilot's decision to turn off the runway while at an excessive speed that did not allow him to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 1996 · about 11:16 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Ana, California · John Wayne · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-236 · all PA-28-236s on the register
- Registration
- N8124S · registry record · serial 28-8011040
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft made an intended full flap, full stop approach, touching down just past the numbers. As the aircraft slowed, the pilot began a turn toward the taxiway at midfield. He applied the brakes, but said he obtained no braking action. Seeing several other aircraft in front of him, the pilot veered off the side of the taxiway. As he was attempting to maneuver around obstructions, the aircraft's wing struck a taxiway sign. FAA inspectors reported they found S-shaped skid marks on the runway/taxiway at Juliet on the east side of runway 19L. The ATCT ground controller did not report any conflicts with taxiing aircraft. The CAP aircraft manager reported that the aircraft braking system was inspected after the accident and was found to function properly. The pilot had been involved in a previous incident in which he experienced a loss of directional control while landing.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 692 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 692 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,264 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 30, 1996; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J3A5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L35 Big Bear CA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: SNA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19L, 2,887 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.