# NTSB FTW84LA375: Piper PA-38, N2324A, Midland, TX, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.989084, -102.080718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9891&lon=-102.0807&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): 21450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA375
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA375

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - recovery from bounced landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - control interference - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - performed, pilot in command
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BOTH PLTS WERE PRACTICING 180 DEGREE POWER OFF 'SPOT' LANDINGS AFTER HIATUS FROM FLYING ACTIVITY. PLT IN LEFT SEAT WAS AT CONTROLS, UNDERSHOT SLIGHTLY AND ACFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN. PLT APPLIED POWER FOR RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LNDG BUT RIGHT SEAT PLT ALSO TOOK CONTROLS AND INTERFERED WITH THE RECOVERY. ACFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND LEFT WING LOW RESULTING IN A SWERVE TO THE LEFT. LEFT SEAT PLT CUT POWER AND APPLIED BRAKES AS ACFT DEPARTED RUNWAY. ACFT CONTINUED ACROSS RAMP AREA AND COLLIDED WITH A FUEL PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2324A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0638
- Airframe hours: 2308
- Engines: LYCOMING O-23-5L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert G. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1984, 2 hours before
- Airport: 7TX6, Sky Ranch, runway 16, 5,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 28 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19840903045269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903045269A), Sep 3, 1984: Piper PA38112, Midland, TX, Destroyed. Came in short on spot landing, hit tail skid, bounced, tried go around, rolled off side of runway, struck gas pump.

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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