# Accident 20170521005849A: Piper PA-28-181, Bristow, VA, May 21, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 21, 2017, 20:07 local time
- Place: Bristow, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.7214° N, 77.5381° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7214&lon=-77.5381&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8304F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8304F-2020-02-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 7,514 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA186) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170521005849A

## Narrative

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

CFI WAS GIVING A FLIGHT REVIEW TO A PRIVATE PILOT. AFTER THE THIRD TAKE-OFF FROM RWY 16R, THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 800 FEET MSL. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND LOWERED THE NOSE SLIGHTLY. AT ABOUT 900 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE CAME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN QUIT AGAIN. WHILE THE CFI WAS COMMENCING A TURN TO ATTEMPT A RETURN TO 16R, THE ENGINE STARTED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF FOR GOOD.

THE CFI CHECKED THE MIXTURE, THROTTLE AND IGNITION WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. THE PRIVATE PILOT INITIATED A RADIO CALL TO THE HEF TOWER TO ADVISE THAT ENGINE POWER WAS LOST AND THEY WERE ATTEMPTING A LANDING DOWNWIND OF 16R IN A FARMER'S FIELD.

DURING LANDING, THE NOSE WHEEL IMPACTED THE FIELD AND SHEARED OFF AT THE NOSE WHEEL FORK/ STRUT AREA AND DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. AS THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ROLLING, THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK A METAL FENCE POST AND SPUN THE AIRCRAFT 300 DEGREES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A NOSE DOWN CONFIGURATION. THE CFI SECURED THE AIRCRAFT AND BOTH PILOTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ERA17CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA186), May 21, 2017: Piper PA 28-181 (N8304F), Bristow, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s and pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel in the selected fuel tank and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

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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