# NTSB FTW83LA083: Piper PA-28R-200, N32978, Bandera, TX, January 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1983, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Bandera, TX
- Coordinates: 29.720642, -99.069671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7206&lon=-99.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not identified, airport personnel (cause)
  - airport facilities,obstruction marking - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER A NORMAL LANDING, HE TAXIED TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY IN ORDER TO ALLOW ANOTHER AIRCRAFT TO LAND. HE THAN TAXIED ABOUT 70 FT OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A GRASS TURNAROUND/TAXI AREA WHERE THE AIRCRAFT HIT AN 18 INCH DEEP HOLE WITH THE LEFT GEAR. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE GEAR TO GO UP THROUGH THE WING. THE HOLE WAS NOT MARKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32978](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32978), registered now, S/N 28R-7535103, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535103
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney Smith
- Registered owner: John D. Luther
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Airport: T33, Flying L. Ranch, runway 15, 3,260 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19830109000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830109000839A), Jan 9, 1983: Piper PA28R200, Bandera, TX, Substantial damage. Taxied off end of runway onto grass turnaround. Left main gear hit a pole. Impact caused the gear to go thru wing.

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.