# NTSB FTW00LA193: Piper PA-28-140, N1709T, Greenville, TX, July 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2000, 14:08 local (19:08 UTC) - Place: Greenville, TX - Coordinates: 33.109142, -96.10044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1091&lon=-96.1004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## 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) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing, when he reduced power approximately 20-30 feet over the runway threshold, 'the nose pitched down suddenly.' The pilot added power and pulled back on the yoke and was able to 'level' the airplane. The airplane struck the runway 'hard' in a level attitude, bounced once and skidded to a stop. The pilot and passenger stated to the airport personnel, who responded to the accident site, that their 'approach had been smooth and normal and when they were approximately 15 feet high the aircraft lost lift and fell straight down.' ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2000, at 1408 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1709T, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Majors Airport near Greenville, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Commerce, Texas, about 1300. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he had completed two touch and go landings. While turning left base to runway 17 for the third landing, he noticed that the "controls were heavy - this had not been a problem on the two previous" touch and go landings. The pilot further reported that he turned final with an airspeed of 90 knots, and at the approach end of the runway, he reduced power and airspeed to 70 knots. Approximately 20-30 feet above the numbers, "the nose pitched down suddenly." He applied power, pulled back on the control yoke and was able to "level" the airplane. The pilot stated that the airplane struck the runway in a level attitude, bounced once, and skidded to a stop. According to the Greenville Operation's Fire Control Incident Report, the pilot and passenger both stated that "their approach had been smooth and normal and when they were approximately 15 feet high the aircraft lost lift and fell straight down." In addition, the weather at the "general time of the incident was wind from 168 degrees at 12 knots." Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the nose and both main landing gear were sheared off. The firewall was buckled, and the left wing's upper and lower surfaces were wrinkled. The fuselage under the copilot station was buckled upward. Flight control continuity was established to the ailerons, but not to the rudder and elevator due to the firewall and fuselage damage. The elevator trim tab "appeared" to be in the neutral position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1709T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1709T-2002-10-08), registration cancelled 2002-10-08, S/N 28-7125024, built 1970 (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: 28-7125024 - Airframe hours: 2292 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Williamson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1999, 76 hours before - Departed: 2F7, COMMERCE, TX - Destination: GVT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: GVT, Majors, runway 17, 8,030 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 106 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRL, 24 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 20000704005669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000704005669A), Jul 4, 2000: Piper PA28140, Greenville, TX, No damage. (-23) On 7/4/00 at 1408C robert c. williamson made a hard landing at Greenville, TX, Majors field. The PA28-140, N1709T, nose and main gear were sheared off,… 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.