# NTSB FTW84LA357: Piper PA-28-180, N6480J, Fort Worth, TX, August 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1984, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.570583, -97.34951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5706&lon=-97.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA357

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DUE TO ACFT PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE NARROW (25 FT) RUNWAY AND A CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT, THE PLT FAVORED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ON LANDING LINE-UP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST A LEFT DRIFT BEFORE THE ACFT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6480J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6480J), registered now, S/N 28-4908, built 1968 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4908
- Airframe hours: 1004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dallas L Harris
- Registered owner: William R. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984
- Airport: 9F9, Sycamore, runway 35, 3,450 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 85 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 12 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 19840819041869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840819041869A), Aug 19, 1984: Piper PA28180, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Touched down left of center, left main went off pavement. Aircraft continued left into a ditch.

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.
