# NTSB ATL91LA028: Piper PA-28-180, N7634W, Humboldt, TN, December 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1990, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Humboldt, TN
- Coordinates: 35.819343, -88.899192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8193&lon=-88.8992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA028

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING AND VEERED OFF OF THE RUNWAY. THE FLIGHT WAS HIS FIRST SOLO. CONTROL WAS REGAINED BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM WHICH WAS LEFT FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. HIS REPORT LISTED 17 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS AND NO FLIGHT HOURS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7634W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7634W-1997-01-30), registration cancelled 1997-01-30, S/N 281603 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1603
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Londe Air Service Incorporated
- Departed: M53
- Destination: M53
- Airport: M53, Hummboldt Munc., runway 22, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKL, 10 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 19901208053379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901208053379A), Dec 8, 1990: Piper PA28180, Humboldt, TN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touch and go. Ran off runway. Struck dirt berm and flipped over.

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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