# NTSB DFW07LA075: Piper PA-30, N7900Y, Lubbock, TX, February 21, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 2007, 17:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.485, -101.811668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4850&lon=-101.8117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65334 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65334/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare. A contributing factor was the prevailing tailwind. ## Analysis Following a downwind landing to Runway 17, (a 3,500-foot long by 70-foot-wide asphalt runway), the airplane encountered an uncommanded swerve, exited the ride side of the runway, and subsequently ground-looped. The airplane came to rest in an upright position with the nose landing gear collapsed. The 610-hour private pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Tire transfer marks were observed starting about 1,700-feet from the approach end of the runway. The tire transfer marks on the runway revealed that the nose landing gear tire touched down first followed by the right main landing gear tire and subsequently the left main landing gear tire. The tire transfer marks and a flat spot on the right landing gear tire were consistent with excessive use of the right brake. A weather reporting station 5 miles north from the accident site was reporting wind from 310 degrees at 6 knots. An examination of the airplane's flight controls revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 2007, about 1725 central standard time, a twin-engine Piper PA-30 airplane, N7900Y, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control at the Town & Country Airpark (F82) near Lubbock, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Personnel at the airport reported that following a landing on Runway 17, (a 3,500-foot long, by 70-foot-wide asphalt runway), the airplane swerved and exited off the right side of the runway followed by a ground-loop. The airplane came to rest in an upright position with the nose gear collapsed. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, tire transfer marks were observed starting about 1,700-feet from the approach end of Runway 17. Tire transfer marks on the runway revealed that the nose landing gear tire touched down first followed by the right main landing gear tire and subsequently the left main landing gear tire. Additionally, a flat spot on the right landing gear tire was also reported by the inspector. No pre-impact anomalies were noted with the airplane's controls. The inspector further reported that the left wing and nose landing gear to fuselage mounting structure had sustained structural damage. The pilot submitted a 6120.1/2 to the NTSB investigator-in-charge; however, he did not provide a written narrative on the accounts of the mishap. At 1653, a weather reporting station at Lubbock International Airport (LBB), near Lubbock Texas, located 5 miles north from the accident site, was reporting wind from 310 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, clear skies, temperature 73 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7900Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7900Y), registered now, S/N 30-987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-987 - Airframe hours: 6080 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2006, 14 hours before - Departed: F82, LUBBOCK, TX - Destination: Lubbock, TX - Airport: F82, Town & Country Airpark, runway 35, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 610 total, 30 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 5 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 20070221002389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070221002389A), Feb 21, 2007: Piper PA30, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 21, 2007, at 17:24 CST, N7900Y, a PA-30, was being flown by the pilot and owner, [privacy data omitted], who lost control of the aircraft due… ## Other investigations on N7900Y (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 MKC79DCG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCG03), Oct 10, 1978: Piper PA-30 (N7900Y), Nevada, MO, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.