# NTSB DEN88LA136: Piper PA-28-160, N5113W, Ogden, UT, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1988, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.150943, -111.980461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1509&lon=-111.9805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA136

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LOW TIME PRIVATE PLT AND HIS NON-PILOT WIFE WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. THE PLT USED THE RIGHT SEAT AND HIS WIFE USED THE LEFT SEAT. WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE PLT RECOGNIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO HIGH, ADDED FULL FLAPS AND CUT THE POWER. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE. BY THE TIME THE PILOT RECOGNIZED IT, THE PLANE WAS TOO LOW. FULL POWER WAS ADDED TOO LATE TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5113W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5113W-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 28-138, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 138
- Airframe hours: 3041
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Decoste, Al
- Registered owner: Decoste, Albert W., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1988, 701 hours before
- Departed: OGD
- Destination: OGD
- Airport: OGD, Ogden Municipal, runway 16, 5,349 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 1 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 19880625023769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880625023769A), Jun 25, 1988: Piper PA28160, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. Unstable approach and improper control caused aircraft to hit a fence and land short of runway.

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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