# NTSB FTW83LA025: Piper PA-28-161, N47916, Mcallen, TX, October 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1982, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.209405, -98.23043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2094&lon=-98.2304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - physical impairment(motion sickness), dual student (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - separation

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR AND DOWNDRAFTS AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE NUMBER 2 APPROACH LIGHT STANCHION. THE GEAR ASSEMBLY SHEARED OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47916](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47916-1993-02-24), registration cancelled 1993-02-24, S/N 287816157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816157
- Airframe hours: 1353
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pan American Flying Club
- Registered owner: Pan American Flying Club
- Departed: MFE, MCALLEN, TX
- Destination: MFE, MCALLEN, TX
- Airport: MFE, Miller Field, runway 13, 7,103 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 21,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °F

## 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 19821028056839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821028056839A), Oct 28, 1982: Piper PA28161, Mcallen, TX, Substantial damage. Instructor with an ill student struck a runway approach light stanchion on short final. Blamed windshear.

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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