# NTSB NYC98LA162: Piper PA-28-181, N3023M, West Liberty, KY, August 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1998, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: West Liberty, KY - Coordinates: 37.910408, -83.260078 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9104&lon=-83.2601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate planning for a downslope landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of training for downslope landing situations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - downhill (contributing factor) - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the landing, the airplane didn't touch down when expected. He eventually got the airplane on the ground, but felt it was not slowing enough to stop on the runway. He added power and took off, but on climb-out the airplane struck trees and crashed. The pilot wrote that at the time of the accident, the airplane was operating normally. He stated that he was unaware that the 2,400 foot runway had a 1.5% downgrade, and that he had never landed on a runway with a downslope before. He also stated that he 'hadn't appreciated the effect the slope would have on braking.' ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1998, about 1700 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3023M, was substantially damaged after an aborted landing at West Liberty Airport (9I3), West Liberty, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was uninjured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight between Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky, and West Liberty. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that during the landing, the airplane didn't touch down when expected. He eventually got the airplane on the ground, but felt it was not slowing enough to stop on the runway. He added power and took off, but on climb-out the airplane struck trees and crashed. The pilot wrote that at the time of the accident, the airplane was operating normally. He stated he was unaware that the 2,400 foot runway had a 1.5% downgrade, and that he had never landed on a runway with a downslope before. He also stated that he "hadn't appreciated the effect the slope would have on braking." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3023M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3023M-1999-10-18), registration cancelled 1999-10-18, S/N 28-7890285 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7890285 - Airframe hours: 4390 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lexington Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1998, 99 hours before - Departed: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY - Destination: 9I3, KY - Airport: 9I3, West Liberty, runway 25, 2,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 249 total, 130 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LEX, 68 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 19980805025099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980805025099A), Aug 5, 1998: Piper PA28181, West Liberty, KY, Substantial damage. On August 5, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3023M, was substantially damaged after an aborted landing at West Liberty Airport… ## Other investigations on N3023M (1) 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 NYC87LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA246), Sep 5, 1987: Piper PA-28 (N3023M), Harrisburg, PA, 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.