# NTSB ATL91LA135: Piper PA-24-260, N8739P, Springfield, TN, July 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, TN
- Coordinates: 36.490791, -86.870803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4908&lon=-86.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA135

## Probable cause

THE PA-24 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED WHILE EXECUTING A GO-AROUND, RESULTING IN THE STALLING OF THE AIRPLANE.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PA-24 PILOT'S FAILURE TO VISUALLY DETECT THE J-3 IN A TIMELY MANNER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PA-24 REPORTED THAT HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND SET UP FOR LANDING TO RUNWAY 3.  HE DID NOT SEE OR HEAR ANY OTHER TRAFFIC IN THE PATTERN.  JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE SAW A PIPER J-3 ON THE RUNWAY, OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  HE EXECUTED A RIGHT, CLIMBING GO-AROUND.  HE THEN OBSERVED A TOWER IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND MADE AN IMMEDIATE TURN TO THE LEFT.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND NEAR MID FIELD. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT OF THE PA-24 CLAIMED THAT THE J-3 WAS BACK-TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE J-3 WAS ACTUALLY ON LANDING ROLLOUT (RWY 22) WHEN FIRST OBSERVED BY THE PA-24 PILOT.  THE J-3 PILOT DID NOT SEE THE PA-24 UNTIL AFTER THE GO-AROUND WAS PERFORMED.  THE J-3, A HIGH-WING AIRPLANE, WAS NOT RADIO EQUIPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8739P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8739P), registered now, S/N 24-4190, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4190
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Logan Lesh Communications, Inc
- Registered owner: Logan Lesh Communications, Inc
- Departed: M53, HUMBOLDT, TN
- Airport: M91, Springfield Municipal, runway 3, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 4,700 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19910716048159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716048159A), Jul 16, 1991: Piper PA24260, Springfield, TN, Substantial damage. Saw opposite traffic on runway during short final. Began go around. Turned right,saw tower turned back. Stalled.

## Other investigations on N8739P (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI97LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA105), Apr 12, 1997: Piper PA-24 (N8739P), Elk Falls, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: fracture of the fuel selector assembly which resulted in fuel starvation.

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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