# NTSB ATL87LA139: Piper PA-30, N7937Y, Raleigh, NC, May 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1987, 22:23 local (May 16, 1987, 02:23 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Coordinates: 35.830291, -78.830932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8303&lon=-78.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE ON THE APPROACH FOR LANDING. HE SAID THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT AND THEREAFTER, HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO EITHER GO-AROUND OR LAND FURTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT ENGINE STILL FAILED TO RESPOND AND HE CUT ALL POWER BUT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF IN-FLIGHT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7937Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7937Y-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 30-1028, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1028
- Airframe hours: 3716
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Dale, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 45 hours before
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh-Durham, runway 23R, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 488 total, 290 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870515016719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870515016719A), May 15, 1987: Piper PA30, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway. The pilot added power too quickly and one engine stagnated while below VMC.

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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