# NTSB ATL85FKG01: Piper PA-28-140, N7988N, Huntsville, AL, December 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1984, 18:00 local (Dec 23, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.729644, -86.559265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7296&lon=-86.5593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FKG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FKG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,baffle - loose (cause)
  - exhaust system,muffler - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PAX VERY SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT 'STALL LIGHT' ILLUMINATED AS THE ACFT FLEW OVER TREES AFT THE END OF THE RWY. ONE PAX REPORTED THAT THE ACFT CLIMBED SLIGHTLY BEFORE IT DROPPED TO THE GROUND LEFT WING AND NOSE FIRST. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE INTERIOR CONE ASS'Y OF THE MUFFLER WAS LOOSE BLOCKING THE EXHAUST PORT. ACFT GROSS WEIGHT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 2,219 POUNDS. MAX GROSS ALLOWABLE WAS 2,150 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7988N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7988N-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-7125369, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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: 28-7125369
- Airframe hours: 3432
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John David Hodges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1984, 100 hours before
- Departed: 3M5, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Airport: 3M5, Madison County Skypark, runway 27, 2,400 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 10 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19841222067779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841222067779A), Dec 22, 1984: Piper PA28140, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Partial power on takeoff, landed in pasture. No medical or bfr, over gross takeoff weight, a d s not complied with.

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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