# Accident 20150816016139A: Piper PA-28-161, Bristow, VA, August 16, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 16, 2015, 09:06 local time
- Place: Bristow, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: IBIS
- Location: 38.7439° N, 77.5492° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7439&lon=-77.5492&mi=10
- Aircraft: N82587, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82587-2018-08-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-161 (registry code 7102803, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA315) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150816016139A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

STUDENT PILOT WAS CONDUCTING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS DURING HER 6TH SOLO AT MANASSAS AIRPORT - HEF.

STUDENT PILOT REDUCED POWER TO BEGIN THE LANDING DESCENT WHEN ATCT INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT PILOT TO EXTEND DOWNWIND BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC.

STUDENT PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED LOOKING FOR TRAFFIC AND LISTENING FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ADVISORIES FROM ATCT.

AFTER EXTENDING DOWNWIND, ATCT INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT PILOT TO TURN ONTO BASE LEG, WHICH STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED.

STUDENT PILOT REMAINED DISTRACTED, LOOKING FOR TRAFFIC, AND NEVER ADDED POWER TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

ATCT ISSUED THE STUDENT PILOT A WARNING FOR LOW ALTITUDE, BUT STUDENT PILOT WAS STILL DISTRACTED AND DID NOT RECOVER POWER TO GAIN ALITUDE.

STUDENT PILOT DID NOT REALIZE HER PROXIMITY TO GROUND BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE TO EXECUTE A RECOVERY.  CONTACT WITH TREES AND CRASH ENSUED.

STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT AIRCRAFT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY DURING THE ENTIRE FLIGHT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 ERA15LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA315), Aug 16, 2015: Piper PA 28-161 (N82587), Bristow, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction due to other traffic in…

## Other reports on N82587 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20111006022789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111006022789I), Oct 6, 2011: Piper PA-28-161 (N82587), Manassas, VA, Minor damage. Aircraft ran off the left side of runway 34L at Manassas Regional Airport at approximately 1400HRS EDT. OAT approx 75F, clear, little to no wind. Student pilot…
- [Accident 19841027062639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841027062639A), Oct 27, 1984: Piper PA28161 (N82587), Farmington, PA, Substantial damage. Drifted off centerline and collided with runway lights and pole. Pilot blamed wind shift caused aircraft to drift.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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