# NTSB FTW84LA108: Piper PA-28-236, N8117Z, Del Rio, TX, January 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1984, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Del Rio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.370641, -100.889183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3706&lon=-100.8892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ON A 4000 FT SOD RANCH STRIP THE PLT RAN OFF THE RWY INTO A RAVING AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR. THE PLT SAID HE LANDED IN A CRAB AND RAN OFF THE RWY. THE OWNER  ON FORM 6120.1 STATED THAT IT WAS PLT ERROR, THAT THE PLT MISSED THE RWY AND RAN INTO THE RAVINE AT THE END OF RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8117Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8117Z), registered now, S/N 28-8011026, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8011026
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Wessley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T17, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19840106001229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840106001229A), Jan 6, 1984: Piper PA28236, Del Rio, TX, Substantial damage. Landed in a crab angle then overran runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N8117Z (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 CHI94LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA062), Jan 13, 1994: Piper PA-28-236 (N8117Z), Highland, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: An electrical system failure due to a fractured alternator mounting lug. Factors related to the accident were the rough terrain, and decreasing visibility due to snow and darkness.

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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