# NTSB ATL85LA066: Piper PA-24-250, N6666P, Ft Knox, KY, December 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Ft Knox, KY
- Coordinates: 37.889122, -85.960929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8891&lon=-85.9609&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): 6728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N6666P, CONTACTED THE GROUND 100 YDS SHORT OF RWY 36 DURING LANDING AT FT KNOX, KY, WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE NOSE, LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, BOTH WINGS AND THE PROPELLER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT EXCEEDED CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6666P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6666P-1997-08-22), registration cancelled 1997-08-22, S/N 241790 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 241790
- Airframe hours: 4233
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1G5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft Knox Aero Club
- Registered owner: Partick W. Roush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1984, 93 hours before
- Departed: PKB, PARKERSBURG, WV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FTK, Godman Aaf, runway 36, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,475 total, 21 in this make and model, 1,135 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTK

## 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 19841225068139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225068139A), Dec 25, 1984: Piper PA24250, Ft Knox, KY, Substantial damage. Failed to arrest high sink rate on final. Impacted the ground short of the runway. Was loaded aft of CG near gross.

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.