# NTSB SEA07CA273: Piper PA-28-140, N6716J, Chandler, AZ, September 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2007, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.298889, -111.915832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2989&lon=-111.9158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA273 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing, which resulted in an undershoot and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the downdraft, the uneven terrain, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that while on a one mile final approach to Runway 17 and coaching the student pilot on a short field landing, he noticed the airplane's descent rate was greater than 500 feet per minute. The flight instructor stated that he advised the student pilot to increase power, but the student seemed "slow" to add power. The flight instructor further stated, "As we were 300 feet before [the] threshold of Runway 17 we experienced a sinking feeling, [like] a downdraft or vertical wind shear, followed by the airplane's right main landing gear impacting the edge of the asphalt runway, which protrudes a foot higher than terrain at that site." The flight instructor reported that the impact displaced the right main landing gear backward as the airplane skidded to a stop about 1,000 feet down the runway. The pilot stated that damage to the airplane included the right main landing gear bent aft, a hole in the top of the right wing post to the fuel cell, damage to the right flap and right aileron, as well as the left side of the fuselage being wrinkled. The flight instructor stated that there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that while on a one mile final approach to Runway 17 and coaching the student pilot on a short field landing, he noticed the airplane's descent rate was greater than 500 feet per minute. The flight instructor stated that he advised the student pilot to increase power, but the student seemed "slow" to add power. The flight instructor further stated, "As we were 300 feet before [the] threshold of Runway 17 we experienced a sinking feeling, [like] a downdraft or vertical wind shear, followed by the airplane's right main landing gear impacting the edge of the asphalt runway, which protrudes a foot higher than terrain at that site." The flight instructor reported that the impact displaced the right main landing gear backward as the airplane skidded to a stop about 1,000 feet down the runway. The pilot stated that damage to the airplane included the right main landing gear bent aft, a hole in the top of the right wing post to the fuel cell, damage to the right flap and right aileron, as well as the left side of the fuselage being wrinkled. The flight instructor stated that there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6716J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6716J-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 28-24418, built 1968 (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: 28-24-418 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Brian K. Brooks - Registered owner: Robert J Danaher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: P19, Chandler, AZ - Airport: P19, Stellar Airpark, runway 17, 4,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 53; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,008 total, 160 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CHD ## 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 20070925022609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070925022609A), Sep 25, 2007: Piper PA28140, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) This was an instructional flight performing short field landings. N6716J was performing a short field landing @ Stellar air park (P19). N6716J touched… 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.