# NTSB FTW98LA172: Piper PA-28-161, N8124H, Marietta, OK, April 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Marietta, OK - Coordinates: 36.260749, -94.690643 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2607&lon=-94.6906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA172 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet - terrain condition - soft - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot configured the airplane for a soft field landing (full flaps, airspeed 55 knots) on runway 17. The airplane touched down to the left of the runway centerline. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left, the left main wheel encountered soft mud and the wing struck a tree. The pilot reported the winds were from 150 degrees at 10 knots. Total flight time for the pilot was 112.8 hours of which 11.7 hours was in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1998, at 1530 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N8142H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the McGehee Restaurant Airport, Marietta, Oklahoma. The airplane was operated by the Texas Flying Club, McKinney, Texas, under lease from a private owner, and was flown by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight that departed McKinney, Texas, at 1430, and a flight plan was not filed. During personal interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane was configured for a soft field landing with full flaps and flown at 55 knots for the approach and touchdown on runway 17. The airplane touched down approximately 30 feet down the runway to the left of the centerline. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left, the left main wheel encountered soft mud, the wing struck a tree approximately 3 feet from the edge of the left side of the runway, and the airplane spun around 200 degrees. The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 330 degrees and 900 feet beyond the runway threshold. The pilot reported the winds were from 150 degrees at 10 knots. Total flight time for the pilot was 112.8 hours of which 11.7 hours were in the make and model of airplane. The pilot's 1 hour in the previous 90 days was not in the PA-28 aircraft. This was the pilot's first flight to the McGehee Restaurant Airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8124H (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8216118 - Airframe hours: 4884 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Texas Flying Club - Registered owner: Garry A. Ackerman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1998, 82 hours before - Departed: TKI, MCKINNEY, TX - Destination: T40 - Airport: T40, Mcgehee Restaurant, runway 17, 2,450 × 55 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 12 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Observed at: ADM 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.