# NTSB FTW83LA057: Piper PA-28-180, N9317J, Grandfield, OK, December 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1982, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Grandfield, OK
- Coordinates: 34.230796, -98.680488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2308&lon=-98.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A CHILD, WHO HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO OCCUPY THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DURING THE TAKEOFF, FELL FROM THE ACFT WHEN THE DOOR OPENED IN FLIGHT. THE CHILD'S GRANDFATHER, WHO OCCUPIED THE REAR SEAT, ALLOWED THE YOUNGSTER TO CLIMB INTO THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT STAY IN HIS SEAT BELT. WITH THE CARGO DOOR IN THE LATCHED POSITION IT WOULD POP OPEN IF HIT SHARPLY IN THE CENTER OF THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE ACFT. THE DOOR IS NOT REINFORCED & IS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND FORCES FROM INSIDE THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9317J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9317J-1994-05-03), registration cancelled 1994-05-03, S/N 283426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3426
- Airframe hours: 4179
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Altus Flying Service
- Registered owner: Western State Flyers Inc.
- Departed: OK02, GRANDFIELD, OK
- Destination: ALTUS, OK
- Airport: OK02, Grandfield Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 172 total, 1 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LTS

## 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 19821212033829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821212033829A), Dec 12, 1982: Piper PA28180, Grandfield, OK, 1 fatal. Child allowed to stand in cargo area apparently fell into cargo door. Impact opened door. Child fell out.

## Other investigations on N9317J (2)

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 FTW94LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA005), Oct 5, 1993: Piper PA-28-180C (N9317J), Albuquerque, NM, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR.
- [NTSB DEN84LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA014), Oct 24, 1983: Piper PA-28-180 (N9317J), Englewood, CO, 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.

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