# NTSB FTW90LA089: Piper PA28-140, N7174R, Durant, OK, March 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1990, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Durant, OK
- Coordinates: 33.979728, -96.389457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9797&lon=-96.3895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA089

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED (VSO) AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF THE AIRCRAFT AT AN ALTITUDE FROM WHICH RECOVERY WAS NOT POSSIBLE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE LANDING APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A PRACTICE SHORT FIELD LANDING FROM A PRACTICE NDB APPROACH. THE SECOND PILOT ON BOARD REPORTED THAT, AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 FEET AGL OVER THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THE AIRCRAFT NOSE SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY NOSE FIRST AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR AFT. THE PILOT HAD STATED THAT HE HAD TRIMMED THE AIRCRAFT TO A 'FAIRLY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE' AND THAT HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER FROM THE DESCENT BY PULLING THE CONTROL YOKE AFT. THE SECOND PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 KNOTS DURING THE LAST OBSERVATION ON SHORT FINAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7174R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7174R-1990-10-29), registration cancelled 1990-10-29, S/N 2821884 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carrington, John
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1F4, MADIL, OK
- Airport: DUA, Durant Eaker Field, runway 35, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 50 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900331011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331011279A), Mar 31, 1990: Piper PA28140, Durant, OK, Substantial damage. High sink rate on short final. Impact folded all three gears.

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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