# NTSB ATL85IA153: Piper PA-34-200T, N2618M, White Sulphur, WV, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: White Sulphur, WV
- Coordinates: 37.789043, -80.289741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7890&lon=-80.2897&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): 6676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85IA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85IA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING VFR LDG APCH, PILOT NOTED A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RWY. THE APCH WAS CONTD AND AS THE LDG FLARE WAS STARTED, THE PILOT AND ONE OF HIS PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED ACROSS THE RWY IN FRONT OF THEM. THE PILOT PULLED THE YOKE BACK TO Z00M OVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADDING POWER. THE ACFT STRUCK THE RWY AND BOUCCED. THE NOSE GEAR SUPPORT TRUSS WAS DISPLACED UPWARD AND THE TOP FITTING PENETRATING THE TOP FUSELAGE SKIN AT THE FUSELAGE/ WINDSHIELD JUNCTURE. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RWY AND WAS UNOCCUPIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2618M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2618M), registered now, S/N 34-7870089, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7870089
- Airframe hours: 1914
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TS10-36E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Congressional Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1984, 110 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Airport: SSU, White Sulphur Springs, runway 26, 5,170 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 54 in this make and model, 444 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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).

- [Incident 19850504043209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504043209I), May 4, 1985: Piper PA34200T, White Sulphur S, WV, Minor damage. Pilot distracted by car on side of runway, bounced on nosewheel. Propeller struck runway, nose gear support damaged

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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