# NTSB ATL83LA214: Piper PA-28-180, N16402, Westminster, MD, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Westminster, MD
- Location: 39.5792° N, 77.0067° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westminster, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5792&lon=-77.0067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO FLY TO A 1600 FT PRIVATE STRIP WITH TREES ON BOTH ENDS. DURING THE APPROACH, HE HAD PLANNED TO MAKE A FULL STOP LANDING. HOWEVER, AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE DECIDED TO MAKE IT A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE FELT THE ACFT WAS NOT CLIMBING AS IT SHOULD. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT CLEARED 1 ROW OF TREES, BUT THE PLT DID NOT THINK HE COULD CLEAR THE NEXT LINE OF TREES THAT HE WAS APPROACHING. THEREFORE HE LANDED IN A FARM FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DUE TO THE TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE PRIOR TO THE CRASH LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16402](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16402), registered now, S/N 28-7305245, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305245
- Airframe hours: 1259
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Emi Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1982
- Departed: W54, WESTMINSTER, MD
- Destination: PVT, SILVER RUN, MD
- Airport: W54, Carroll County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 584 total, 584 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19830605025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605025319A), Jun 5, 1983: Piper PA28180, Westminster, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted touch and go landing at Private grass strip. During go around aircraft unable to climb over trees.

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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