# NTSB ATL88LA029: Piper PA-28-140, N667FL, Sebring, OH, November 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, OH
- Coordinates: 40.920104, -81.020286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9201&lon=-81.0203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD SHORT OF THE RWY, AND SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE LDG GEAR AND BOTH WINGS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN DISTRACTED BY ANOTHER AIRPLANE THAT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD OF HIM, AND HAD INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN A FEW FEET SHORT OF THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE STALL WARNING LIGHT WAS OBSERVED TO ILLUMINATE JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N667FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N667FL-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 287225205 (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: 287225205
- Airframe hours: 3179
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rudolph  J. Fields
- Registered owner: Rudolph J Fields
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7G2, ASHTABULA, OH
- Airport: 3G6, Tri-City, runway 17, 2,800 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 232 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 20 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 19871107062409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871107062409A), Nov 7, 1987: Piper PA28140, Sebring, OH, Substantial damage. Too low and slow on final approach. Impacted the ground short of the runway. Distracted by other traffic.

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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