# NTSB NYC08CA278: Piper PA-28-235, N9365W, Dresden, TN, August 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2008, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Dresden, TN - Coordinates: 36.287523, -88.708694 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2875&lon=-88.7087&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude/clearance while on final approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Piper PA-28-235, was on final approach to land on a 1,640-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, turf runway, at a private airport. The pilot stated that he encountered a downdraft, which caused the airplane to settle into a cornfield, 30 feet prior to the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 260 degrees, at 1 knot, with no gusts. He further reported 370 hours of total flight experience, which included 32 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Piper PA-28-235, was on final approach to land on a 1,640-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, turf runway, at a private airport. The pilot stated that he encountered a downdraft, which caused the airplane to settle into a cornfield, 30 feet prior to the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 260 degrees, at 1 knot, with no gusts. He further reported 370 hours of total flight experience, which included 32 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9365W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9365W-2013-04-04), registration cancelled 2013-04-04, S/N 28-11055, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: PA28-11055 - Airframe hours: 3840 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tony Collins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 12 hours before - Departed: M93, McKinnon, TN - Destination: NONE, Dresden, TN - Airport: NONE, Latham, runway 8, 1,640 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 370 total, 32 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 58 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 20080809845189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080809845189A), Aug 9, 2008: Piper PA28235, Dresden, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 9, 2008, at approximately 1100, [privacy data omitted] landed short of the runway into a cornfield at latham airport. [privacy data omitted]… ## Other investigations on N9365W (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI74DEV51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEV51), May 23, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N9365W), Mansfield, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC73FCA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FCA08), Nov 15, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N9365W), Berkeley, MO, substantial damage 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.