# NTSB FTW96LA049: Piper PA-28-180, N6551J, Heber Springs, AR, November 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1995, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Heber Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 35.499507, -92.029403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4995&lon=-92.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA049

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during transition from landing roll to taxi. A factor relating to the accident was: a soft area in the grass runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that during landing roll at a private grass strip, he 'lost control of the aircraft, when he ran into soft terrain.'  In the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that as he was 'taxiing off [the] strip to park', he 'crossed [a] ditch' and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest inverted, adjacent to the runway. Both wings and the fire wall were structurally damaged. No mechanical defects were found that would have contributed to the nose gear collapse.

## Factual narrative

On November 16, 1995, approximately 1315 central standard time, a Piper PA-28, N6551J, registered to a private owner, and operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, was substantially damaged during landing at a private grass airstrip, near Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The commercial pilot-in-command was not injured.  The flight originated from Searcy, Arkansas about 45 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported to a FAA inspector that, during landing roll, he "lost control of the aircraft when he ran into soft terrain."  In the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that, as he was "taxiing off [the] strip to park", he "crossed [a] ditch" and the nose gear collapsed.  The airplane came to rest inverted, adjacent to the runway.  Both wings and the fire wall were structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6551J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6551J-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 28-4996, built 1968 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4996
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Gebhert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1995
- Departed: M07, SEARCY, AR
- Airport: runway 18, 1,200 × 35 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 55 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °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 19951116036629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951116036629A), Nov 16, 1995: Piper PA28180, Heber Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Lost control turning off runway. Albeit too fast. Crossed ditch. Folded nose gear. Nosed over. Damage wing firewall

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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