# NTSB ATL88LA019: Piper PA-28R-180, N4639J, Lexington, KY, October 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1987, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, KY
- Coordinates: 38.039035, -84.540519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0390&lon=-84.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, dual student (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT LEVELED THE ACFT ABV THE RWY DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE CFI TOLD THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE WAS VERBALLY COACHING THE STUDENT AND DID NOT ASSUME THE FLT CONTROLS. THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND THE STUDENT APPLIED BRAKES WHICH RESULTED IN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHING DOWN HARD. PWR WAS APPLIED FOR A GO-AROUND AND A LOUD POP WAS HEARD. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE CFI NOTED A TEAR IN THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT WAS FLOWN BACK TO HOME BASE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FALSE SPAR HAD COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4639J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4639J-2021-03-30), registration cancelled 2021-03-30, S/N 28R-30529, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R30529
- Airframe hours: 5360
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-81E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Tech., Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Tech, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Airport: FFT, Capital City, runway 24, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,645 total, 115 in this make and model, 1,496 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEX, 17 nm away

## 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 19871014061309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871014061309A), Oct 14, 1987: Piper PA28R180, Frankfort, KY, Substantial damage. Student made a high flare and a hard landing with brakes on. Impact damaged a wing spar.

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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