# NTSB ATL07CA062: Piper PA-28A-180C, N4988L, Atlanta, GA, March 24, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 24, 2007, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.791667, -84.521385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7917&lon=-84.5214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA062

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with a flat main tire.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - deflated
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the short cross-country flight t was uneventful.  Upon landing at the destination airport, the airplane began to drift to the left during roll out. He added right rudder pressure to control the drift, however as the airspeed reduced, the weight shifted from the wings to the landing gear, and directional control became difficult. The airplane drifted off the runway and the left wing struck an airport sign. The pilot exited the airplane and noticed that the left main tire was flat.  Examination of the left wing and left main tire by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing had rib and spar damage. Further examination of the left main tire revealed it was flat, and unable to retain air when filled.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot he was on a short cross-country flight to the Fulton County Airport, Atlanta, Georgia. The flight was uneventful, and he conducted a visual approach to runway 26. The touchdown was normal, however the airplane began to drift to the left during landing roll out. He added right rudder pressure to control the drift, however as the airspeed reduced, the weight shifted from the wings to the landing gear, and directional control became difficult. The airplane drifted off the runway and the left wing struck an airport sign. The pilot exited the airplane and noticed that the left main tire was flat.  Examination of the left wing and left main tire by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing had rib and spar damage. Further examination of the left main tire revealed it was flat, and unable to retain air when filled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4988L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4988L), registered now, S/N 28-4362, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28A-180C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4362
- Airframe hours: 3205
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis J Walter
- Registered owner: Wade A Tucker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2007, 3,200 hours before
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FTY, Fulton County Airport-Brown Fi, runway 26, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 337 total, 280 in this make and model, 273 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KFTY

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.

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