# NTSB SEA90LA001: Piper PA-28R-180, N3782T, Las Vegas, NV, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 02:03 local (09:03 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.100505, -115.02098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1005&lon=-115.0210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH,  AND FAILED TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT OR FLARE THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING.   DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING AT NIGHT, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN 28 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED & THE PLANE SLID ONTO THE RUNWAY. PROPELLER STRIKES WERE FOUND IN THE AREA OF WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSE. THE AIRPLANE WAS ABANDONED & THE PILOT WAS NOT LOCATED. THE OWNER REPORTED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN STOLEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3782T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3782T-1990-06-26), registration cancelled 1990-06-26, S/N 28R30095 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30095
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Bates, Donald E
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: VGT
- Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 25, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LAS, 8 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 19891001037299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891001037299A), Oct 1, 1989: Piper PA28R180, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Stolen aircraft was landed hard and short of runway by unknown person who left the sceme . Bag white power aboard.

## Other investigations on N3782T (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 FTW68F0425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0425), Feb 10, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N3782T), Napoleonville, LA, 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.

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