# NTSB FTW91LA164: Piper PA-28-180, N8457W, Friendswood, TX, September 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1991, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Friendswood, TX
- Coordinates: 29.510873, -95.190841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5109&lon=-95.1908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS MECHANICAL TURBULENCE CAUSED BY NEARBY BUILDINGS.

## 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
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND DURING THE FLARE WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR TOUCHED DOWN OFF OF THE SHOULDER OF THE PAVEMENT AND THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DRIFT RIGHT UNTIL IT STRUCK A FENCE. THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE DRIFT WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE WINDS WERE DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 7 KNOTS; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WERE HANGARS ERECTED ABOUT 200 FEET OFF OF BOTH SIDES OF THE TOUCHDOWN ZONE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8457W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8457W-1995-08-16), registration cancelled 1995-08-16, S/N 282693 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2693
- Airframe hours: 1958
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allie S. Walton
- Registered owner: Allie S. Walton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1991, 14 hours before
- Airport: 7X50, Polly Ranch, runway 11, 2,600 × 24 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910922042279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910922042279A), Sep 22, 1991: Piper PA28180, Friendswood, TX, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to drift off narrow runway on flare. Landed off rough edge of runway. Veered right into a fence.

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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