# NTSB ATL89LA117: Piper PA-38-112, N9451T, Timmonsville, SC, March 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Timmonsville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.129215, -79.939758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1292&lon=-79.9398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMAIN AWARE OF THE LOCAL WIND CONDITIONS. ADDITIONALLY, HE EXECUTED THE APPROACH AND LANDING WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED, COMBINED WITH A TAILWIND, WHICH RESULTED IN THE RUNWAY OVERRUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS AT A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. THE LANDINGS WERE TO RWYS 14 & 32. ON THE 1ST APPROACH THE WIND SOCK INDICATED CALM WIND. THE LAST APPROACH WAS MADE WITH ZERO FLAPS. THE PLT SLIPPED THE ACFT ON FINAL APPROACH & CROSSED RWY THRESHOLD AT 90 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT A 10 KNOT WIND WAS BLOWING (TAILWIND) WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THE DISTANCE DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT AND IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT, DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A WOODEN SIGN POST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9451T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9451T), registered now, S/N 38-78A0104, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0104
- Airframe hours: 2454
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kukla, Robert D.
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1988, 137 hours before
- Departed: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Airport: 58J, Huggins Memorial, runway 32, 2,700 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 405 total, 202 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890327004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890327004939A), Mar 27, 1989: Piper PA38112, Timmonsville, SC, Substantial damage. After several landings tried to land downwind without flaps and too fast. Veered to prevent overrun and hit a sign.

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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