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May 27, 1987 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1696T

Erwin, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Erwin, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1696T
Operator
Harnett Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA152

THE ACFT IMPACTED LEVEL GRASSY TERRAIN SHORT OF RWY 04, WHILE ON SHORT FINAL DURING A PRACTICE SHORT-FIELD LDG. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT PLT HAD STABILIZED THE ACFT ON THE APPCH AT 70 MPH; A HIGH SINK RATE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED AS THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A STEEP DROP-OFF LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE THE THRESHOLD. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE ACFT, LOWERED THE NOSE AND APPLIED PWR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN SLIGHTLY NOSE-DOWN. FULL FLAPS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE CFI REPORTED THE WIND TO BE FROM 040 DEGREES AT 5 KTS WITH NO GUSTS. THE PIPER 140 OWNERS HANDBOOK LISTS 55 MPH AS THE POWER-OFF STALL SPEED, FOR A WINGS-LEVEL ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT WITH FULL FLAPS.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT IMPACTED LEVEL GRASSY TERRAIN SHORT OF RWY 04, WHILE ON SHORT FINAL DURING A PRACTICE SHORT-FIELD LDG. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT PLT HAD STABILIZED THE ACFT ON THE APPCH AT 70 MPH; A HIGH SINK RATE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED AS THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A STEEP DROP-OFF LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE THE THRESHOLD. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE ACFT, LOWERED THE NOSE AND APPLIED PWR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN SLIGHTLY NOSE-DOWN. FULL FLAPS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE CFI REPORTED THE WIND TO BE FROM 040 DEGREES AT 5 KTS WITH NO GUSTS. THE PIPER 140 OWNERS HANDBOOK LISTS 55 MPH AS THE POWER-OFF STALL SPEED, FOR A WINGS-LEVEL ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT WITH FULL FLAPS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportHarnett County (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length3700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1696T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarnett Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data