# NTSB FTW87LA138: Piper PA-28-160, N5552W, Norman, OK, June 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1987, 08:14 local (13:14 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Coordinates: 35.209438, -97.500572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2094&lon=-97.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD CAUSING A VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE AREA, AND SOME LOSS OF RUDDER CONTROL. THE PILOT FLEW BY THE TOWER AND THE TOWER INDICATED EVERYTHING LOOKED OK. ON LANDING ROLL THE NOSE GEAR FAILED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5552W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5552W-2003-10-01), registration cancelled 2003-10-01, S/N 28-643, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-643
- Airframe hours: 6332
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Mays  &  Mark Chaffin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1987, 325 hours before
- Airport: DUN, Max Westheimer, runway 21, 4,765 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 649 total, 505 in this make and model, 621 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19870609019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870609019159A), Jun 9, 1987: Piper PA28160, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on second landing after touch and go hard landing with engine vibration. Right gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N5552W (2)

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 FTW75DPJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DPJ05-201298), Aug 5, 1975: Piper PA-28 (N5552W), Goldsby, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW69D0530](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0530), Jun 6, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N5552W), Slaton, TX, 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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