# NTSB ATL88LA223: Piper PA-34-200T, N8191J, Laurens, SC, August 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1988, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Laurens, SC
- Coordinates: 34.499687, -82.019531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4997&lon=-82.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE LANDED, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL UNTIL HE WAS LOWERING THE NOSE TO THE RWY DRG THE LANDING ROLL. AT THAT TIME, THE LEFT WING BEGAN TO SETTLE. AT FIRST, HE THOUGHT THE LEFT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT, BUT THE SETTLING CONTINUED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY & DAMAGED 2 RWY LIGHTS BEFORE SKIDDING TO A STOP. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUT HOUSING/TRUNNION HAD FAILED. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF FATIGUE IN THE STRUT BARREL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8191J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8070191
- Airframe hours: 1818
- Engines: CONTINENTAL LTSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cabeza, Anthony R.
- Registered owner: Julian G. Hunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 97 hours before
- Departed: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC
- Destination: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: 34A, Laurens County, runway 7, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,207 total, 254 in this make and model, 4,176 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 26 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 19880801029619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880801029619A), Aug 1, 1988: Piper PA34200T, Laurens, SC, Substantial damage. Left main gear strut separated on the landing roll due to metal fatigue in the strut barrel.

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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