# NTSB FTW86LA121: Piper PA-28-140, N3737K, Georgetown, TX, June 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1986, 22:30 local (Jun 24, 1986, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, TX
- Coordinates: 30.640371, -97.680198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6404&lon=-97.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING NIGHT LANDINGS TO HIS STUDENT PILOT, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT ON TOUCHDOWN. THE INSTRUCTOR THOUGHT HIS STUDENT WAS ON THE RIGHT RUDDER, BUT FAILED TO OVERRIDE HIM BY APPLYING LEFT RUDDER. THE NEXT MORNING REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD COLLIDED WITH A DEER ON TOUCHDOWN AND HAD CONTINUED TO DRAG THE DEER SOME DISTANCE WITH THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3737K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3737K-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 28-23714, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23714
- Airframe hours: 2463
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: T04, Georgetown, runway 17, 4,100 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 772 total, 33 in this make and model, 612 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 30 nm away

## 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 19860623027279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860623027279A), Jun 23, 1986: Piper PA28140, Georgetown, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and struck a fence after striking a deer on touchdown. A night instructional flight.

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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