# NTSB ATL87LA170: Piper PA-28-180, N8021W, Hazard, KY, June 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1987, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hazard, KY
- Coordinates: 37.250366, -83.189979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2504&lon=-83.1900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - cooling system,cowling - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT OBSERVED THE REAR OF THE UPPER ENGINE COWLING LIFT UP SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND HE BECAME CONCERNED THAT THE COWLING MIGHT COME OFF THE AIRPLANE DURING FLIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. DURING PREFLIGHT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE THEPILOT REMOVED AND REPLACED THE COWLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8021W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8021W-1989-12-07), registration cancelled 1989-12-07, S/N 282086 (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: 28-2086
- Airframe hours: 4658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: New Hope Church
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986
- Airport: K20, Eastern Kentucky Regional, runway 6, 3,240 × 60 ft, asphalt

## 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: 323 total, 302 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 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 19870616020729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870616020729A), Jun 16, 1987: Piper PA28180, Hazard, KY, Substantial damage. Upper cowling became loose on climbout. Returning to airport aircraft stalled. Impacted terrain next to the runway.

## Other investigations on N8021W (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC69D0391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0391), Apr 24, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N8021W), Lehighton, PA, substantial damage

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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