Recordings Showed The Airplane Come Into View In A Left-Wing Low Attitude And Impacted A Light Pole

Location: Hawthorne, CA Accident Number: WPR24FA295
Date & Time: September 6, 2024, 00:36 Local Registration: N588CP
Aircraft: Piper PA-24-250 Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 6, 2024, at 0036 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N588CP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hawthorne, California. The pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The passenger of the airplane reported the intent of the flight was to conduct pattern work at Jack Northrup Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR), but he did not recall any additional information regarding the accident flight.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing a sputtering engine as the airplane departed the airport. One witness inside his residence located near the departure end of the runway reported that he heard a sputtering engine. He exited his residence and saw the accident airplane in a nose-up attitude and appeared to be trying to gain altitude; however, it continued to descend. The airplane started a left turn before it passed over a building and the witness lost sight of the airplane. 

Security camera recordings from Hawthorne City Hall and a nearby hotel captured the last portion of the accident flight. The recordings showed the airplane come into view in a left-wing low attitude and impacted a light pole, before it impacted the ground, where a postimpact fire ensued. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest upright on a city street about 1 mile southwest of HHR. 

The first identified point of impact (FIPC) was a damaged light pole. The debris path extended from the FIPC on a southwesterly heading about 90 ft to the main wreckage. Various sections of the left wing to include the fuel tip tank and left aileron, nose landing gear and strut, and a portion of a propeller blade were located within the debris path. The main wreckage was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire.

The airplane was recovered to a secure storage facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov