# NTSB FTW91LA047: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N9190A, Leander, TX, March 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1991, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Leander, TX
- Coordinates: 30.56096, -97.859649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5610&lon=-97.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, WHO WAS ALSO A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR WHILE ON SHORT FINAL TO RUNWAY 15 AND THAT THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND, BUT ABORTED IT WHEN IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS GOING TO IMPACT THE RUNWAY.  AFTER INITIAL TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND DRIFTED LEFT. THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LEFT WING SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A FENCE POST. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS AS BEING FROM THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST AT 15 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. THE OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION, 15 MILES SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, REPORTED THE WINDS AS BEING FROM 150 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS. NO CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9190A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9190A), registered now, S/N 32R-7887064, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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: 32R-7887064
- Airframe hours: 1985
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-51AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Piper Lance, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1990, 112 hours before
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: 8X53, Pegasus Place, runway 15, 2,700 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,823 total, 65 in this make and model, 2,679 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910305004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910305004159A), Mar 5, 1991: Piper PA32RT300T, Leander, TX, Substantial damage. Windshear short final. Impacted runway. Bounced. Drifted. Wing hit fence post. Report sw gusty crosswind.

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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