# NTSB FTW85LA328: Piper J4A, N30986, Duncan, OK, August 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1985, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Duncan, OK
- Coordinates: 34.520401, -97.959945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5204&lon=-97.9599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA328

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING SHORT FLD LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED THE ACFT BALLOONED AND HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENG FAILED TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT STALLED AT 2 FT ABOVE THE GROUND ACCORDING TO THE PLT. HARDCONTACT WITH THE GROUND RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30986](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30986), registered now, S/N 4-1264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J4A
- Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-1264
- Airframe hours: 2037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Irving L. Kinney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1985, 19 hours before
- Airport: DUC, Halliburton Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 792 total, 62 in this make and model, 752 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 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 19850805039889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850805039889A), Aug 5, 1985: Piper J4A, Duncan, OK, Substantial damage. Ballooned on landing flare and landed hard when engine hesitated upon power application. Taxied back to hangar.

## Other investigations on N30986 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC70D0136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0136), Jul 13, 1969: Piper J4 (N30986), Medina, NY, substantial damage

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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