# NTSB FTW86LA146: Piper PA-28-R-180, N3930T, Houston, TX, August 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1986, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.649988, -95.280387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6500&lon=-95.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - fuel system,strainer - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - improper, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - improper use of procedure, ground personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PRIVATE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-28R-180 DEPARTED RUNWAY 15 AT WEST HOUSTON AIRPORT (IWS), HOUSTON, TEXAS. PILOT STATED HE HAD DEPARTED RUNWAY 15 WHEN ENGINE QUIT AT APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET AGL. PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY. PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC GEAR LOWERING FEATURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING INTO AN UNIMPROVED AREA WITH ALL THREE LANDING GEARS DOWN AND LOCKED. AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NOSE GEAR SHEARED AND BOTH MAIN GEARS WERE FORCED UPWARD INTO THE WING STRUCTURES. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ONBOARD THE AIRCRAFT WERE UNINJURED. PILOT STATED HE TOOK ON 27 GALLONS OF LOW LEAD AVIATION FUEL AT WEST HOUSTON AIRPORT AND HAD DRAINED FUEL SAMPLES FROM WING TANK SUMPS AND GASOLATOR AND FOUND NO WATER PRESENT. HOWEVER, INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT REVEALED SOME WATER PRESENT IN THE GASOLATOR. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3930T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3930T-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 28R-30269, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-R-180 (PA-28-R-18)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30269
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING J0-360-BJE 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1986
- Departed: GWS, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: SGR, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: 9WS, West Houston, runway 15, 4,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 7 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 13 nm away

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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