# NTSB ATL89LA007: Piper PA-28-180, N7769N, Savannah, GA, October 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1988, 14:44 local (18:44 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Coordinates: 32.119121, -81.18013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1191&lon=-81.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - information - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING WITH A LEFT X-WIND, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT & WENT OFF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED IN SOFT TERRAIN. THE PLT THOUGHT TOWER PERSONNEL HAD TOLD HIM THE WIND WAS FROM 030 DEG AT 9 KTS. A CHECK OF THE TRANSCRIPT REVEALED THAT JUST BEFORE LANDING, THE PLT WAS TOLD THE WIND WAS FROM 350 DEG AT 12 KTS. THE 1353 EDT WIND AT SAVANNAH WAS FROM 040 DEG AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7769N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7769N), registered now, S/N 28-5216, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 5216
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert P. Smith
- Registered owner: Robert P Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL
- Destination: SAV
- Airport: SAV, Savannah Intl, runway 9, 9,003 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 529 total, 314 in this make and model, 473 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV

## 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 19881007048779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881007048779A), Oct 7, 1988: Piper PA28180, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. Lost control and veered off runway while landing in a strong crosswind. Favored runway notamed closed.

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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