# NTSB ATL85LMG02: Piper PA-28-180, N5291L, Goldsboro, NC, January 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1985, 22:10 local (Jan 27, 1985, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Goldsboro, NC
- Coordinates: 35.370437, -77.970802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3704&lon=-77.9708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LMG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LMG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WINDS & WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, IT HIT A DRAINAGE DITCH & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. ABOUT 50 MI NORTHWEST AT THE RALEIGH/DURHAM ARPT, THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM 290 TO 320 DEG AT 10 KTS, GUSTING 20 TO 25 KTS. (BRIEF DEVELOPED FROM PRELIM RPRT, FAA RPRT LOST IN MAILING)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5291L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5291L-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 28-4592, built 1968 (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: 28-4592
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patetown Milling Co, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: GWW, Goldsboro-Wayne Muni, runway 4, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: RDU

## Other investigations on N5291L (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 BFO93FA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA129), Jul 1, 1993: Piper PA-28-180 (N5291L), California, MD, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT INITIATING VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, HIS LACK OF SLEEP, AND THE…

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.