# NTSB FTW87LA176: Piper PA28R-201, N6083H, Houston, TX, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, AND AT THE POINT OF ROTATION THE NOSE GEAR FAILED, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO DROP DOWN STRIKING THE RUNWAY WITH THE PROP. THE AIRCRAFT THEN BECAME AIRBORNE FOR APPROX. 15 SEC. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON AN ADJACENT RWY AND SLID INTO TWO OTHER PARKED AIRCRAFT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. AN FAA INSPECTOR AND AN INDEPENDENT A&P MECHANIC INSPECTED THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY AND FOUND ONLY OVERLOAD FAILURE AND COULD NOT CONFIRM THE PILOT'S REPORT THAT THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED DURING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6083H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6083H), registered now, S/N 28R-7837052, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IGSO-540-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-igso-540-b1a) (registry code 41535, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837052
- Airframe hours: 903
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martha Woolverton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1986
- Departed: SPX, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: AAP, Andrau Airport, runway 16, 4,750 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 455 total, 108 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °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 19870726038619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038619A), Jul 26, 1987: Piper PA28R201, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Premature liftoff on takeoff. Propeller struck runway. Forced landing on airport. Struck two parked aircraft.

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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