# NTSB FTW91LA128: Piper PA-28-181, N8233A, Heber Springs, AR, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1991, 20:15 local (Jul 28, 1991, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Heber Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 35.660385, -91.930999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6604&lon=-91.9310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S TOUCHDOWN AT AN IMPROPER POINT ON THE AIRSTRIP. A FACTOR WAS THE WET DOWNSLOPING GRASS AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED 1,350 FEET DOWN A 2,700 FOOT WET, GRASS, DOWNSLOPING RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SWERVED UPON BRAKE APPLICATION AFTER TOUCHDOWN, WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY RUDDER APPLICATION. AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO REST IN THE TREES. ACCORDING TO THE PA-28-181 LANDING GROUND ROLL CHART, THE STOPPING DISTANCE FOR A PAVED, LEVEL, DRY RUNWAY IS 980 FEET. THE CHART DOES NOT ADDRESS RUNWAY SLOPE, WET RUNWAYS, OR GRASS RUNWAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8233A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8233A-1993-04-07), registration cancelled 1993-04-07, S/N 288090353 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090353
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Westex Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Westex Aircraft, Inc.
- Departed: LAW, LAWTON, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE, Tannenbaum, runway 18, 2,700 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 422 total, 63 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910727030429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727030429A), Jul 27, 1991: Piper PA28181, Heber Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on downhill wet,grass strip after landing long. Struck trees.

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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