# NTSB FTW88LA003: Grumman GA7, N718GA, Covington, LA, October 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1987, 14:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place: Covington, LA
- Coordinates: 30.470039, -90.109031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4700&lon=-90.1090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - worn (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED, AND DUE TO THE POOR MECHANICAL CONDITION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S BRAKES, WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE OVER-RUNNING THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS TWO MONTHS OVERDUE. THE PILOT'S BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS 14 MONTHS OVERDUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N718GA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N718GA-2003-04-22), registration cancelled 2003-04-22, S/N GA7-0018, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN GA7
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. GA-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-ga-7) (registry code 3960401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: GA7-0018
- Airframe hours: 2230
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sue M. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1986
- Departed: DWH, TOMGALL, TX
- Airport: LA08, Covington, runway 17, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,632 total, 619 in this make and model, 1,493 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19871008059429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871008059429A), Oct 8, 1987: Gulstm GA7, Covington, LA, Substantial damage. Too fast on landing. Left brake weak. Ran off departure end of runway into trees. Aircraft annual and bfr outdated.

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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