# NTSB FTW88IA025: Piper PA-34-220T, N83931, El Paso, TX, November 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1987, 08:27 local (15:27 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.799606, -106.359123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7996&lon=-106.3591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88IA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88IA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,cargo/baggage - open (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - level off - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LOCKED BEFORE TAKEOFF BUT IT CAME OPEN DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. HE MADE AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT AND LANDED ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. HE DELAYED THE LEVELOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO OVERLOAD FORCES. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE DOOR LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM REVEALED NO BROKEN OR IMPROPER PARTS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS OBVIOUS WEAR AND MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THE LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM. PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (NO. 872) ON THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT WHICH ADDRESSED THE SUBJECT OF WORN AND/OR MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THIS SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N83931 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133110
- Airframe hours: 1049
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cormorant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1987, 43 hours before
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: ALM, ALAMOGORDO, NM
- Airport: ELP, El Paso Int'L, runway 4, 11,012 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,223 total, 373 in this make and model, 945 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19871108075209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871108075209I), Nov 8, 1987: Piper PA34220T, El Paso, TX, Minor damage. Baggage door opened on initial climb. Aborted. Hard landing on remaining runway. Parts excessively worn.

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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