# NTSB FTW85LA102: Piper PA-28-181, N82048, League City, TX, January 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1985, 00:30 local (06:30 UTC)
- Place: League City, TX
- Coordinates: 29.480213, -95.10073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4802&lon=-95.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - simulated, pilot in command
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 75 YARDS SHORT OF RWY 13 DURING A PRACTICE NIGHT FORCED LANDING. THE PVT PLT, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE FBO OPERATOR, HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND HAD BEEN FLYING FOR APPROX 1.7 HRS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE 18 YR OLD PILOT TOLD POLICE OFFICERS AND THE OPERATOR THAT HE WAS PRACTICING FORCED LANDINGS, DURING WHICH, HE WOULD TURN OFF THE MAGS AND EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING, TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE PROP STOPPED TURNING ON A SHORT FINAL APCH AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RWY WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82048](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82048), registered now, S/N 28-8290127, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-8290127
- Airframe hours: 619
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwest Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 26, 1984, 110 hours before
- Departed: SPX
- Airport: SPX, Houston Gulf, runway 13, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 4 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU

## 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 19850127001739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850127001739A), Jan 27, 1985: Piper PA28181, League City, TX, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway while practicing forced landings at night. Unauthorized use of the aircraft. Gear torn off.

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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