# NTSB ATL85LA129: Piper PA-34-200, N1071U, Concord, NC, April 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1985, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Concord, NC
- Coordinates: 35.399749, -80.589736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3997&lon=-80.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE PVT ARPT AT THE DESTINATION HAD A UNIDIRECTIONAL STRIP WITH HI OBSTRUCTIONS ON BOTH ENDS. OBSTACLES, RWY SLOPE & NOISE ABATEMENT CONSIDERATIONS REQUIRED THAT RWY 4 BE USED FOR LANDINGS. AT 1351 EST, THE WIND AT CHARLOTTE, NC WAS FROM 220 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 27 KTS. DURING ARRIVAL AT CONCORD, THE FINAL APCH WAS FLOWN AT 100 MPH. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 1350 FT FROM THE APCH END, THEN BOUNCED 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RWY & INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE ACFT AFTER TRAVELING BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END. HE STATED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING SUFFICIENTLY & HE USED RUDDER & DIFFERENTIAL POWER FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SKID MARKS WERE FOUND STARTING ABOUT 2000 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY. STOPPING DISTANCE FOR THE CONDITIONS WAS CALCULATED TO BE 2711 FT; THE ACFT HAD TOUCHED DOWN WITH ABOUT 2050 FT REMAINING. WHEN CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE BRAKE PEDALS FELT SPONGY. THE LEFT BRAKE PAD WAS DISCOLORED BLUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1071U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1071U-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 347250066 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250066
- Airframe hours: 2807
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mike Graham & Charles Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1984
- Departed: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC
- Airport: 0A1, Propst, runway 4, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,630 total, 747 in this make and model, 1,413 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 16 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 21 nm away

## 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 19850404044659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850404044659A), Apr 4, 1985: Piper PA34200, Concord, NC, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast downwind with insufficient runway remaning. Ground looped intentionally and main gear collapsed

## Other investigations on N1071U (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 NYC72DKM38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DKM38), Jun 29, 1972: Piper PA-32 (N1071U), Charlotte, NC, substantial damage

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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