# NTSB FTW87LA182: Piper PA-38-112, N23943, San Benito, TX, July 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1987, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: San Benito, TX
- Coordinates: 26.13025, -97.629829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1303&lon=-97.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other person (cause)
  - judgment - poor, other person (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - disregarded, other person (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK A TV CAMERA MAN, WHO WAS STANDING AT THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RWY, APRX 1200' FROM THE THRESHOLD. THE ACFT THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. WITNESSES STATED THE CAMERA MAN HAD BEEN REQUESTED TO STAND BACK FROM THE RWY (2 OR 3 TIMES), BUT HE IGNORED THE WARNINGS. THE ACFT HAD A 38' WING SPAN WHILE THE RWY WAS ONLY 40' WIDE. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT (APRX 3') DRG THE LANDING ROLL. THE PLT STATED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT WAS STILL RAISED WHEN HE SAW THE CAMERA MAN ON THE RWY SURFACE, AND INSTANTLY THEREAFTER, THE COLLISION OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23943-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 3879A1070 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1070
- Airframe hours: 2058
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lewis C. Barr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1987, 58 hours before
- Departed: T66
- Airport: T66, San Benito Muni, runway 12, 3,200 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870730040519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870730040519A), Jul 30, 1987: Piper PA38112, San Benito, TX, Substantial damage. Hit a cameraman standing next to runway on rollout. Veered off runway. Left gear collasped. Man told to stay clear.

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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