# NTSB FTW88LA135: Piper PA-24-260, N8949P, La Grange, TX, July 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1988, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: La Grange, TX
- Coordinates: 29.899394, -96.870384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8994&lon=-96.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
  - object - fence
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AND FOUND THE WINDS FAVORED A LANDING ON RUNWAY 18. HE SAID HE DESCENDED TO THE DOWNWIND LEG, AND WHEN HE ADDED POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. HOWEVER, HE SAID THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. HE DECIDED TO MAKE AN ABBREVIATED PATTERN, USE FULL FLAPS, AND LAND ON THE LAST HALF OF THE RUNWAY. THE TIRE SKID MARKS START 600 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THEN CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE END. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SEVERAL RUNWAY LIGHTS, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, THEN STRUCK A FENCE POST. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR A LACK OF ENGINE RESPONSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8949P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8949P-2013-07-03), registration cancelled 2013-07-03, S/N 24-4405, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4405
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack J. Chatagnier
- Registered owner: Chatagnier, Kent J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1988, 49 hours before
- Departed: 3R9, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: T49
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: T49, La Grange Municipal, runway 18, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19880720027209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880720027209A), Jul 20, 1988: Piper PA24260, La Grange, TX, Substantial damage. Landed halfway down runway. Unable to stop,ran off end over an embankment and thru a fence. No engine problem found

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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