# NTSB FTW91LA046: Piper PA-28-140, N7120R, Tulsa, OK, March 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1991, 19:00 local (Mar 6, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Tulsa, OK
- Coordinates: 36.140338, -95.790809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1403&lon=-95.7908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A VISUAL APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A LARGE TREE DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND DUE TO THE PILOT LOSING AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE. THE TREE STRIKE RESULTED IN THE LEFT WING BEING SEVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7120R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7120R-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 28-21820, built 1966 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21820
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Simmons, Jeleane A.
- Departed: ADM, ARDMORE, OK
- Airport: 1H6, Harvey Young, runway 17, 2,200 × 200 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 138 total, 57 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TUL, 5 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 19910305004099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910305004099A), Mar 5, 1991: Piper PA28140, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. Downdraft on final uncorrected caused impact with a tree 20 feet AGL. Aircraft pitched over and impacted inverted.

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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