# NTSB ATL84LA254: Piper PA-31-350, N66AU, Nashville, TN, August 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1984, 16:09 local (21:09 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.109657, -86.660018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1097&lon=-86.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA254

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTEDLY SET UP A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT ON FINAL APPROACH SO THAT HE COULD LAND THE AIRCRAFT NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY TO AVOID EXCESSIVE BRAKING ON THE WET RWY. THE PILOT DESCENDED THE AIRCRAFT BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE PROVIDED BY THE VASI AND WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT BEFORE GROUND CONTACT. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 12 FEET SHORT OF THE RWY IN WET GROUND. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE RWY EDGE AND SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66AU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7405178
- Airframe hours: 3596
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph R. Dockery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1984
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BNA, Nashville Metro, runway 20L, 4,304 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,513 total, 740 in this make and model, 2,348 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA

## 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 19840810042089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840810042089A), Aug 10, 1984: Piper PA31350, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. In pilots attempt to land short on a wet runway aircraft touched down short of runway causing gear to collapse.

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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