# NTSB ATL87LA144: Spartan 7W, N13PH, Sumter, SC, April 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1987, 08:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Sumter, SC
- Coordinates: 33.970115, -80.449913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9701&lon=-80.4499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA144

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO TURN TO THE LEFT AFTER LDG WHEN THE TAILWHEEL TOUCHED DOWN; SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO COUNTERACT THE TURN WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY AND HIT A DEPRESSION IN THE TERRAIN, COLLAPSING THE MAIN LDG GEAR. THE WIND AT THE TIME WAS REPORTEDLY CALM. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13PH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13PH), registered now, S/N 13, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPARTAN 7W
- Registry model: [Spartan 7W](https://openairdocs.org/model/spartan-7w) (registry code 8430302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney WJR-B-S-T](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-wjr-b-s-t) (registry code 52007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: P&W WASPJR-R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas P. Hartness
- Registered owner: Thomas P. Hartness
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1986
- Departed: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SSC, Shaw Afb, runway 22L, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 115 in this make and model, 15,380 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19870425014839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870425014839A), Apr 25, 1987: Spartn 7W, Sumter, SC, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway on landing. No evidence was found of preexisting mechanical problems

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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