# NTSB FTW99LA200: Piper PA-28-160, N5230W, Alvaredo, TX, July 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Alvaredo, TX - Coordinates: 32.409343, -97.210136 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4093&lon=-97.2101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA200 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during his short-field approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence ## Analysis The student was undergoing an evaluation, by an FAA designated examiner, for his private pilot certificate. The student stated that while demonstrating a short-field landing, he allowed the aircraft to get 'too shallow.' He added that he 'applied power to correct altitude and thought [he] had it under control, so [he] took power out, and [the] aircraft fell short.' After landing the airplane collided with a fence. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1999, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160 single-engine airplane, N5230W, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence while landing at the Luscombe Acres Airport near Alvaredo, Texas. The student pilot and an FAA designated examiner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 evaluation flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed from Luscombe Acres Airport approximately 1040. The student was taking his check ride to obtain his private pilot certificate. The student was attempting to perform a short-field landing. During the approach, the aircraft impacted a fence and fence posts. According to a written statement provided to the FAA, the pilot stated that he allowed the aircraft to get "too shallow." He further stated that he "applied power to correct altitude and thought [he] had it under control, so [he] took power out, and [the] aircraft fell short." According to the FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, damage included a 2-inch wide by 12-inch long gash in the right wing, a punctured left fuel tank, and dents in the horizontal stabilizer and flaps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5230W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5230W), registered now, S/N 28-268, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-268 - Airframe hours: 2415 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-62B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald W. Connolly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6XS2 - Airport: 6XS2, Luscombe Acres, runway 20, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW, 30 nm away ## 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 19990721042899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990721042899A), Jul 21, 1999: Alvarado, TX, No damage. (-23) On July 21, 1999, ay 1100 CST, a Piper PA-28-160, N5230W, owned by ronald w. connolly at[privacy data omitted] struck a barbed wire fence while on a… 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.