# NTSB ATL91FA015: Piper PA-24-250, N7840P, Rock Hill, SC, November 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1990, 11:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Rock Hill, SC
- Coordinates: 34.970329, -81.079895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9703&lon=-81.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE RUNWAY DURING A LOW PASS AND ALLOWED THE PROPELLER TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY; HE THEN FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A PULL-UP AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - runway
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - disabled
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY AT HIGH SPEED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. A STEP-DOWN DESCENT WAS MADE AS IT FLEW ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 1000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END, THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN 'PULLED UP' IN A CLIMB. AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 400 FEET, IT ROLLED RIGHT, ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. A FIRE BEGAN AFTER IMPACT. WITNESSES & A WRECKAGE EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7840P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7840P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-3062, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3062
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Haynes, Campbell A.
- Departed: 29J
- Airport: 29J, Bryant Field, runway 1, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 15 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 19901106049089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901106049089A), Nov 6, 1990: Piper PA24250, Rock Hill, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended over runway gear up,high speed until prop strike. Pulled up,stalled into trees. Cause actions unknown.

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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