# NTSB ATL87LA205: Piper PA-28-181, N8389Y, Gulf Shores, AL, July 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1987, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Shores, AL
- Coordinates: 30.269495, -87.700111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2695&lon=-87.7001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft protective covering - not used, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3600 FT RWY AFTER OBSERVING THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INOP. BEFORE HE COULD STOP THE ACFT, IT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY & WENT INTO A DITCH. AN EXAM BY AN A&P MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE PITOT HEAD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY A MUD DAUBER NEST. THE OBSTRUCTION WAS NOT VISIBLE THRU THE PITOT OPENING. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS COMMON AT THAT ARPT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN SVRL DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE PLT OPERATING HANDBOOK RECOMMENDED THAT A PITOT COVER BE USED WHENEVER THE ACFT WAS NOT IN USE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8389Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288190240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tim L.Bobo
- Registered owner: Tim L Bobo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport: AL15, Jack Edwards, runway 17, 3,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 406 total, 49 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °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 19870708032619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870708032619A), Jul 8, 1987: Piper PA28181, Gulf Shores, AL, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff late due to no airspeed indication. Ran off end of runway into a ditch. Mud dauber blocked pitot.

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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