# NTSB ATL84FIA02: Piper PA-28R-180, N3859T, Manassas, VA, December 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1983, 20:45 local (Dec 6, 1983, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FIA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FIA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A NIGHT LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FAILED & THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. AN FAA INVESTIGATOR REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD TOUCHED DOWN HARD DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3859T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3859T), registered now, S/N 28R-30182, built 1967 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R30182
- Airframe hours: 1613
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.R. Willoughby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1983, 18 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W10, Manassas, runway 16L, 4,000 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 571 total, 273 in this make and model, 473 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 9 nm away

## 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 19831205061279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831205061279A), Dec 5, 1983: Piper PA28R180, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Landed hard on a night landing. Impact collapsed the right main gear. Aircraft veered off runway on right wing tip.

## Other investigations on N3859T (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 NYC77DHA28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77DHA28), Jun 23, 1977: Piper PA-28R (N3859T), Princeton, NJ, substantial damage

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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