# NTSB ATL00LA093: Piper PA-28-235, N33735, Adel, GA, September 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2000, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Adel, GA - Coordinates: 31.130075, -83.419921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1301&lon=-83.4199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of a closed runway for landing. Contributing factors were his inadequate inflight planning/decision and the wood block on the runway.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was low on fuel and he elected to divert into Adel, Georgia. Due to concerns about the fuel status, the pilot elected to land straight-in on runway 15. Runway 5 was the active runway, and runway 15 was marked closed. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a wood block. During the examination of the airplane, all fuel tanks were found intact, and fuel was found in all four fuel tanks. No mechanical malfunctions were found during the engine examination of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2000, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N33735, registered to Chesaning Aero Club, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with an obstruction during landing roll at Cook County Airport in Adel, Georgia. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Taylor County Airport, Campbellsville, Kentucky, at 1245, with a planned destination of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. According to the pilot, the airplane was reportedly low on fuel and a diversion to Adel, Georgia, was initiated. He stated that he made a decision to land straight in on runway 15 "as a precautionary measure, due to my concern about indicated fuel status." Runway 5 was the active runway and was the advised runway for landing since runway 15 was closed at the time. During landing roll, the airplane collided with wood block. During the impact sequence, the left main landing gear was broken off, the left flap was damaged, and the left wing from the flap area inboard was damaged/buckled on both the top and bottom of the wing. During the examination of the airplane, all fuel tanks were found intact with no visual punctures. Fuel drained from the airplane included: left wing inboard, 12 oz.; left wing tip, 10 oz.; right wing inboard, 12 oz.; right wing tip, 2 gallons, 10 oz. No mechanical malfunctions were found during the engine examination. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued on September 12, 2000, indicating that the runway was closed, and the runway was marked with 'X's. At the time the accident occurred, the NOTAM was still in effect. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33735](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33735), registered now, S/N 28-7510058, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7510058 - Airframe hours: 2437 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert J. Luckhurst - Registered owner: Chesaning Aero Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2000, 86 hours before - Departed: AAS, CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY - Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL - Airport: 15J, Cook County Airport, runway 15, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 385 total, 71 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VAD, 17 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000926007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000926007489A), Sep 26, 2000: Piper PA28235, Adel, GA, No damage. (-23) Landed on closed runway (15/33) at Adel, GA (15J), struck barriers on closed runway. Damage to left wing and left incurred. NOTAM issued 09/12 on closed… ## Other investigations on N33735 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA76FTI20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FTI20), Jan 30, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N33735), Helena, MT, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.