# NTSB FTW85LA280: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8473X, Fort Worth, TX, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1985, 21:30 local (Jun 30, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.819816, -97.359855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8198&lon=-97.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA280

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, fbo personnel (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT WAS TAXIING TO PARKING RAMP/HANGAR AFTER LANDING AND FOLLOWING LINEMAN'S SIGNALS. HE TURNED OFF THE ANGLING TAXIWAY TOO SOON AND THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEARS FELL INTO A HOLE/LOW AREA OFF THE EDGE OF THE TAXIWAY. THE PROPELLER AND RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND WITH RESULTING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PLT STATED HE SHOULD HAVE KEPT LANDING LIGHT ON TAXIWAY UNTIL CLEARING TAXIWAY INTERSECTION INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING LINEMAN'S INSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8473X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8473X-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 28R-8131184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8131184
- Airframe hours: 1278
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bert R. Whisenant, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1985, 205 hours before
- Departed: 3R7, JENNINGS, LA
- Airport: FTW, Meacham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 283 in this make and model, 274 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19850629033249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850629033249A), Jun 29, 1985: Piper PA28RT201T, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Taxied off of taxiway while under guidance of a lineman. Damaged nose gear, right main gear and wing, also prop.

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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