# NTSB ATL87LA218: Piper PA-28-140, N4808T, Foley, AL, July 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1987, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Foley, AL
- Location: 30.4277° N, 87.7010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOLK FLD AT FOLEY MUNI (5R4), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4277&lon=-87.7010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A CROSSWIND LDG ON RWY 36. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED TREES. THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS SECOND UNSUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT GET A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE ARPT ON A LOCAL FLT ABOUT 1 HR BEFORE. HE ESTIMATED THE THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NE AT 15 GUSTING TO 20 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WINDS AT NPA, LOCATED 20 MILES ESE, WERE REPORTED AT 1150 CDT TO BE FROM 080 DEG AT 14 GUSTING TO 18 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4808T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4808T-1989-01-24), registration cancelled 1989-01-24, S/N 287225210 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287225210
- Airframe hours: 5019
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd D. Painter
- Registered owner: Floyd D Painter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1987
- Airport: 5R4, Foley Muncicipal, runway 36, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NPA, 20 nm away

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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