# NTSB FTW85LA157: Piper PA-28-180, N7807W, Wheeler, TX, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1985, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Wheeler, TX
- Coordinates: 35.439647, -100.269889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4396&lon=-100.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - haze/smoke
  - weather condition - rain
  - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, EN ROUTE DETERIORATING WX WAS EXPERIENCED AND HE ELECTED TO LAND AT WHEELER INSTEAD OF HIS ORIGINAL DEST, GRANDFIELD, OK. THE ACFT WAS LANDED SLIGHTLY FAST AND DOWNWIND. WINDS WERE FROM 210 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING TO 20. AT THE ACFT NEARED THE NORTH END OF THE RWY, THE PLT STATED, THE RIGHT BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT. THE LANDING WAS ABORTED WITH THE APPLICATION OF FULL POWER. ONCE AIRBORNE THE ACFT CLEARED A FENCE BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB  FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR A LINE OF TREES. REALIZING THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES THE PLT REDUCED POWER AND FLEW THE ACFT IN A LDG ATTITUDE INTO ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7807W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7807W-2012-10-22), registration cancelled 2012-10-22, S/N 28-1812, built 1964 (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: 28-1812
- Airframe hours: 2483
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William A. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 54 hours before
- Departed: GUYMAN, OK
- Airport: 3E9, Holt, runway 34, 2,820 × 25 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 375 total, 68 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850319014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850319014789A), Mar 19, 1985: Piper PA28180, Wheeler, TX, Substantial damage. Aborted downwind landing near end of runway. Unable to clear trees, reduced power and landed in a city dump.

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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