# NTSB FTW88DRG10: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8209H, Lampasas, TX, May 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1988, 23:20 local (May 31, 1988, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Lampasas, TX
- Coordinates: 31.05945, -98.179176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0594&lon=-98.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - bright night
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not possible
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - bridge/overpass (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE, WHILE ON A NIGHT, VFR, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO SPIRAL DOWN TO AN AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING BUT REPORTED THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND DOWNWIND, OVERSHOOTING THE RUNWAY. AN OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RURAL ROAD ABOUT 1.5 MILES BEYOND THE AIRPORT. DURING ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A CONCRETE CULVERT ABUTMENT AND TREES. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED AN EXHAUST VALVE HAD BROKEN INTO SEVERAL PIECES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8209H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8209H-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 28R-8218017, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8218017
- Airframe hours: 1804
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1-C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Sheridan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1988, 31 hours before
- Departed: F05, VERNON, TX
- Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: T28, Lampasas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 489 total, 228 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 58 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 19880530029299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880530029299A), May 30, 1988: Piper PA28RT201, Lampasas, TX, Destroyed. Emergency landing due to power loss. Overshot runway and landed on road. Hit curb and trees. Exhaust valve failed.

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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