# NTSB ATL83LA360: Piper PA-25-235, N8715L, Pinehurst, GA, September 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1983, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinehurst, GA
- Coordinates: 32.330181, -83.730918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3302&lon=-83.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA360

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - deteriorated (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ALL THREE SHOCK CORDS ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE DURING THE LANDING ROLL ALLOWING THE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY & CROSSED A DRAINAGE DITCH, AT WHICH TIME ALL THREE SHOCK CORDS ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE CORDS WERE FOUND TO BE ROTTED. THEY HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE ACFT ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE PIPER PA-25-235 INSPECTION SHEET STATES THAT THE SHOCK CORDS SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR WEAKNESS, FRAYING & WEAK ATTACHMENTS. IT DOES NOT STATE A SPECIFIC REPLACEMENT TIME FOR THE SHOCK CORDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8715L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8715L), registered now, S/N 25-5168, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5168
- Airframe hours: 5764
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Robert W. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 1983, 25 hours before
- Airport: 2GA3, Wrights, runway 33, 2,000 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 28,800 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 28,300 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830905047129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830905047129A), Sep 5, 1983: Piper PA25235, Pinehurst, GA, Substantial damage. Left main gear shock cords broke on landing. Right main cords broke on impact with a ditch. Shock cords were rotted

## Other investigations on N8715L (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 ERA24LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA248), Jun 5, 2024: Piper PA-25-235 (N8715L), Colquitt, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the fuel shutoff valve from corrosion, which allowed the valve stem to obstruct the internal fuel port, resulting in a restriction of fuel flow to the engine.

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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