# NTSB ATL87LA076: Piper PA-28-180, N7681W, Hampton, GA, February 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Hampton, GA
- Coordinates: 33.379878, -84.28099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3799&lon=-84.2810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT A GUSTING X-WIND EXISTED DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. WHEN HE REDUCED PWR FOR TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN, BEGAN A RAPID SINK AND LANDED HARD. THE PLT NOTED THAT HE HAD THE YOKE FULL BACK BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. HE STATED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS 'NORMAL' OVER THE THRESHOLD, AND THAT THE ACFT DID NOT STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7681W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7681W-1989-03-04), registration cancelled 1989-03-04, S/N 281669 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1669
- Airframe hours: 1545
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. Asbill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1987, 3 hours before
- Airport: 4A7, Bear Creek

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 229 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 15 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 19870223003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870223003509A), Feb 23, 1987: Piper PA28180, Hampton, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed hard. The pilot reported gusting crosswinds. Suspect lack of recent experience contributed.

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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