# NTSB FTW88LA112: Piper PA-28-140, N98088, Denton, TX, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Denton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.209373, -97.13005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2094&lon=-97.1300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA112

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR WAS SIMULATING AN ENGINE-OUT EMERGENCY FOR THE DUAL STUDENT. THE STUDENT WAS MAKING AN APPROACH TO AN EMERGENCY FIELD WITH A LINE OF TREES ON THE APPROACH END. WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR BECAME AWARE THAT THEY MIGHT NOT REACH THE FIELD, HE DIRECTED THE STUDENT TO FLY TOWARDS A GAP IN THE TREES FOR MORE CLEARANCE. JUST BEFORE INITIATING A GO-AROUND, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED AND COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES IN THE GAP. THE FLIGHTCREW HAD NOT CORRECTLY ASSESSED THE LOCATION OF THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98088](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98088-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 2826035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26035
- Airframe hours: 7400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tweeddale, Thomas A.
- Registered owner: Thomas A Tweeddale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 22,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 11,160 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 24 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 19880529050059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529050059A), May 29, 1988: Piper PA28140, Denton, TX, Destroyed. Allowed aircraft to descend to unsafe altitude on a simulated forced landing. Struck unseen wires in gap in trees.

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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