# NTSB DEN99LA005: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8182J, Albuquerque, NM, October 3, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1998, 19:20 local (Oct 3, 1998, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.179668, -106.590454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1797&lon=-106.5905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 44154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA005

## Probable cause

The premature flaring of the airplane, resulting in an inadvertent stall.

## Analysis

As the pilot approached his destination, another pilot informed him that runway 35 was the active runway.  He was also warned of 50 foot trees near the approach end of the runway.  The pilot said he remained 'higher on the approach. . .then reduced power and began a slightly more steep descent than usual' (using 25 degrees flaps.)  When he flared the airplane approximately 10 feet above the runway, it 'must have stalled.'  A hard landing followed.

## Factual narrative

On October 2, 1998, at 1920 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8182J, registered to Neuro Air, Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-county flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and a VFR flight plan had been filed.  The flight originated at Centennial Airport, Denver, Colorado, at 1725.

According to the pilot's accident report, the en route portion of the flight was without incident.  As he approached Coronado Airport, another pilot informed him that runway 35 (4,010 ft. x 60 ft., asphalt) was the active runway.  He also warned him of 50 foot trees near the approach end of the runway.  The pilot said he remained "higher on the approach. . .then reduced power and began a slightly more steep descent than usual" (using 25 degrees flaps.)  When he flared the airplane approximately 10 feet above the runway, it "must have stalled."  A hard landing followed.  The right side of the fuselage was buckled aft of the cabin entry door and forward of the cargo door.  According to Coronado Airport officials, the trees at the end of runway 35 are approximately 20 to 25 feet tall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8182J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8182J-2014-02-19), registration cancelled 2014-02-19, S/N 28R-8231041, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8231041
- Airframe hours: 3265
- Engines: Continental TS10360FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neuro Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1998, 3 hours before
- Departed: APA, DENVER, CO
- Destination: 4AC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 35, 4,010 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 866 total, 589 in this make and model, 809 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19981002033209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981002033209A), Oct 2, 1998: Piper PA28RT201T, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On October 2, 1998, at 1920 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8182J, registered to neuro air inc., was substantially damaged following a hard…

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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