# NTSB ATL82FA054: Piper PA-28R-180, N3893T, Hagerstown, MD, February 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1982
- Place: Hagerstown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.630359, -77.710472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6304&lon=-77.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE AN ERRATIC VISUAL APPROACH AFTER PERFORMING AN ILS APPROACH TO WITHIN 2 MILES OF THE RUNWAY. SHE VARIED HER FLIGHT PATH FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND WAS CORRECTED VERBALLY BY THE MORE EXPERIENCED CO-PILOT. THE FLARE WAS STARTED TOO HIGH AND THE CO-PILOT ADDED POWER TO CUSHION THE LANDING. AFTER LANDING THE AIRCRAFT VEERED SHARPLY AND TURNED 180 DEGREES BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A SNOWBANK. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED FROM A COMBINATION OF SIDE LOADING AND HITTING THE SNOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3893T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3893T-1984-07-21), registration cancelled 1984-07-21, S/N 28R-30222 (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-30222
- Airframe hours: 2304
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beatrice Wilder
- Registered owner: Tri Service Enterprises
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HGR, Washington Cty. Regional, runway 27, 5,450 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,561 total, 317 in this make and model, 1,269 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 109 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HGR

## 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 19820215003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820215003949A), Feb 15, 1982: Piper PA28R180, Hagerstown, MD, Substantial damage. Swerved after landing. Wing tip dragged on snowbank, airplane rotated into snowbank collapsing gear. Erratic final.

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.