# NTSB NYC08CA040: Piper PA-28-140, N4396T, Murfreesboro, TN, November 16, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2007, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Coordinates: 35.877498, -86.377502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8775&lon=-86.3775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67129/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA040 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action and failure to maintain runway alignment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - distance/altitude - misjudged, dual student - flare - improper, dual student - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis During an instructional flight the student pilot slipped the Piper PA-28-140 in order to lose altitude while on final approach for landing. After reaching a "reasonable approach altitude" the student then realigned the airplane and continued the final approach. During the flare, the student "flared way too much," and the airplane ballooned. The instructor then "grabbed" the controls and added full power in an attempt to recover. According to the instructor, the airplane was so close to the ground at this point that it did not have time to climb out. The instructor then "chose" to touchdown in the grass to the left of the runway, substantially damaging the airplane. ## Factual narrative During an instructional flight the student pilot slipped the Piper PA-28-140 in order to lose altitude while on final approach for landing. After reaching a "reasonable approach altitude" the student then realigned the airplane and continued the final approach. During the flare, the student "flared way too much," and the airplane ballooned. The instructor then "grabbed" the controls and added full power in an attempt to recover. According to the instructor, the airplane was so close to the ground at this point that it did not have time to climb out. The instructor then "chose" to touch down to the left of the runway in the grass. During rollout, the nose gear collapsed, and the firewall was substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4396T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4396T), registered now, S/N 28-7225162 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225162 - Airframe hours: 5924 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maxair LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2007 - Departed: FYM, Fayettsville, TN - Destination: MBT, Murfreesboro, TN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 435 total, 233 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 11 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 20071116827869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071116827869A), Nov 16, 2007: Piper PA28140, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot made a high approach to runway 18, slipped aircraft to reduce altitude, leveled off above runway, flared in an extreme nose high attitude.… 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.