# NTSB ATL86LA247: Piper PA-24 180, N6309P, Huntsville, AL, September 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1986, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.730556, -86.559791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7306&lon=-86.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA247

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airport facilities,obstruction marking - inadequate
  - monitoring - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE STATED PURPOSE OF THIS FLT WAS A BFR FOR THE PLT. BOTH THE CFI AND THE PLT STATED THAT THE BFR PART OF THE FLT WAS COMPLETE AND THAT THE PLT WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE APPROACH WAS TOO LOW AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SNAGGED A CABLE STRUNG ACROSS THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CABLE WAS TO KEEP CARS FROM TAKING A SHORT CUT ACROSS THE RWY. RWY 36 HAS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD. OTHER ACFT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FORCED THE PLT TO MAKE A LONGER THAN NORMAL FINAL APCH. THE PAX STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SINK RATE INCREASED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE CABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6309P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6309P-1989-02-28), registration cancelled 1989-02-28, S/N 241419 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24 180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1419
- Airframe hours: 4050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1986, 50 hours before
- Airport: M82, Huntsville Airport North, runway 36, 3,765 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,110 total, 61 in this make and model, 5,010 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 17 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 19860907044619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860907044619A), Sep 7, 1986: Piper PA24, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. The plane struck a wire strung across the runway approach. The instructor failed to adequately monitor the flight.

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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