# NTSB DEN91LA032: Piper PA-28-140, N32108, Houston, TX, January 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1991, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.609848, -95.609848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6098&lon=-95.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA032

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION, HIS INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO STALL, AND EXCEEDING THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE.  FACTORS WERE: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN AIRCRAFT TYPE, HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND EXCEEDING THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT.

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REDUCED POWER TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE, AND TOLD HIS STUDENT TO DEMONSTRATE A FORCED LANDING AT THE WEST HOUSTON LAKESIDE AIRPORT.  THE STUDENT SAID WHILE HE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE DOWNWIND LEG, HE WANTED TO TURN TOWARDS THE RUNWAY BUT THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE.  AFTER HE TURNED ON BASE LEG, THEY OBSERVED AN AIRPLANE UNDER TOW NEAR THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.  THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND.  FULL POWER WAS APPLIED.  THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIRPLANE 'DID NOT DEVELOP ANY LIFT.'  LAST OBSERVED AIRSPEED WAS 63 MPH AND THE STALL WARNING LIGHT WAS 'FLICKERING.'  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - anxiety/apprehension, dual student
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32108](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32108-2012-11-06), registration cancelled 2012-11-06, S/N 28-7525024, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7525024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Mock, doing business as Wings Of Houston, Inc.
- Departed: 2XS3, CYPRESS, TX
- Destination: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Airport: IWS, West Houston-Lakeside, runway 33, 3,955 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 312 total, 11 in this make and model, 226 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910116000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910116000619A), Jan 16, 1991: Piper PA28140, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Got behind power curve on simulated downwind forced landing at an airport. Cei began belated go around and stalled.

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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