# NTSB ATL87LA152: Piper PA-28-140, N1696T, Erwin, NC, May 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Erwin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.320167, -78.669281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3202&lon=-78.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - descent - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED LEVEL GRASSY TERRAIN SHORT OF RWY 04, WHILE ON SHORT FINAL DURING A PRACTICE SHORT-FIELD LDG. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT PLT HAD STABILIZED THE ACFT ON THE APPCH AT 70 MPH; A HIGH SINK RATE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED AS THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A STEEP DROP-OFF LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE THE THRESHOLD. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE ACFT, LOWERED THE NOSE AND APPLIED PWR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN SLIGHTLY NOSE-DOWN. FULL FLAPS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE CFI REPORTED THE WIND TO BE FROM 040 DEGREES AT 5 KTS WITH NO GUSTS. THE PIPER 140 OWNERS HANDBOOK LISTS 55 MPH AS THE POWER-OFF STALL SPEED, FOR A WINGS-LEVEL ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT WITH FULL FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1696T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1696T), registered now, S/N 28-7125013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287125013
- Airframe hours: 3373
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Harnett  Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Harnett Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1987
- Airport: 37W, Harnett County, runway 4, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 1,335 total, 518 in this make and model, 926 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19870527018699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870527018699A), May 27, 1987: Piper PA28140, Erwin, NC, Substantial damage. The plane touched down short of the runway. The instructor reported a downdraft where terrain slopes up to runway.

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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