# NTSB FTW88LA140: Piper PA-28R, N2970M, Oklahoma City, OK, July 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1988, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Location: 35.4676° N, 97.5164° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oklahoma City, OK, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4676&lon=-97.5164&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ignition system,magneto - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - worn (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIR TAXI AIRPLANE, HAULING CARGO, WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF AND RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. A CHECK ON THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ENGINE HAD THE WRONG TYPE OF SPARK PLUGS, ONE MAGNETO WAS ADVANCED 7 DEGREES TOO FAR, AND THE BRAKES WERE MAKING METAL TO METAL CONTACT. AFTER PLUGS WERE CHANGED AND THE MAGNETO RESET, THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED FROM IDLE TO FULL THROTTLE AND OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. THE AIRPLANE WAS ALSO OVERWEIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE FOUND WITH LININGS WORN TO THE RIVETS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2970M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2970M-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 28R-7918001, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- 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-7918001
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Adios Air Limited
- Registered owner: Adios Air Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 2DT
- Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Airport: 2DT, Downtown Airpark, runway 16, 3,240 × 85 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 10 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 19880722027549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880722027549A), Jul 22, 1988: Piper PA28RT201, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. Unable to lift off. Ran off end of runway into a ditch on takeoff. Brakes worn. Wrong spark plugs.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.