# NTSB FTW94LA068: Piper PA-34-200T, N123AH, Dallas, TX, January 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1994, 18:29 local (Jan 20, 1994, 00:29 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.840885, -96.800796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8409&lon=-96.8008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DISORIENTATION AND DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - cooling system,cowling - not secured
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED THE UPPER DOOR LATCH ON THE CABIN ENTRY DOOR WAS NOT SECURE.  HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT FOR LANDING AND SECURE THE DOOR BEFORE CONTINUING HIS FLIGHT.  ACCORDING TO THE TOWER CONTROLLER, THE PILOT BECAME GEOGRAPHICALLY DISORIENTED FLYING BENEATH THE CLOUDS AND SHE ASSISTED HIM IN FINDING THE AIRPORT.  SHE THEN OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LAND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On January 19, 1994, at 1829 central standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N123AH, was substantially damaged during landing at Redbird Municipal Airport, Dallas, Texas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight to Kimble County Airport, Junction, Texas.

The pilot stated to the investigator-in-charge during a telephonic interview, that after takeoff he noticed the upper door latch on the cabin entry door was not secure.  He decided to return to the airport, land, and secure the door before continuing his flight.  He further reported that he "touched down short of the runway" resulting in damage to the landing gear, propeller, and right wing.

According to the air traffic controller working in the Redbird tower, "the pilot became geographically disoriented below the clouds and I assisted the pilot in finding the airport."  She then observed the airplane land short.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123AH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123AH-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 34-8070149, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8070149
- Airframe hours: 2147
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helbing, Arlington Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1993, 30 hours before
- Destination: JCT, JUNCTION, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RBD, Dallas-Redbird, runway 17, 3,801 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,097 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 4,772 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBD

## 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 19940119000629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940119000629A), Jan 19, 1994: Piper PA34200T, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Noticed upper door latch not secured. Elected return and close it. Landed short of runway. Became disorientated.

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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