# NTSB ATL89FA024: Piper PA-28R-201T, N39550, Bridgeport, WV, November 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1988, 19:41 local (Nov 5, 1988, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, WV
- Coordinates: 39.289817, -80.250953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2898&lon=-80.2510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA024

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO EXECUTE A VISUAL APPROACH TO RWY 21 AND WAS ISSUED THE CURRENT ALT SETTING OF 29.60' HG. THE APPROACH WAS MADE UNDER DARK NIGHT AND GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS TO A LIGHTED RUNWAY IN RURAL MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN. DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE LOCATED APPROX 3,500' FROM RWY 21 AT APPROX 1,300' MSL. THE APRT ELEVATION WAS 1,203' MSL. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AT APPROX 1,280' MSL ON A HILLSIDE. A PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY RESCUE WORKERS THAT SHOWS THE ALT INDICATING 1,430' MSL. THE ALT SETTING FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS 29.74' HG. THE PLT COULD NOT RECALL SETTING THE ALT PRIOR TO THE APPROACH. THE ALT WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT NO PRE-IMPACT DEFICIENCIES WERE PRESENT IN THE ACFT AND COULD NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT. WINDS WERE RECORDED AS GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS AND WHEN THE TOWER CLEARED THE ACFT TO LAND THE CONTROLLER STATED THAT THEY WERE GUSTING TO 16 KNOTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, descent - normal
  - altimeter setting - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39550](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39550-1991-02-01), registration cancelled 1991-02-01, S/N 28R7803354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7803354
- Airframe hours: 1480
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred W. Kruse
- Registered owner: Fred W. Kruse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: GSP, GREER, SC
- Destination: CKB, BRIDGEPORT, WV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CKB, Benedum, runway 21, 5,198 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 136 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKB, 1 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 19881104049409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881104049409A), Nov 4, 1988: Piper PA28R201T, Clarksburg, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees on a ridgeline 3000 ft short of runway on a night visual approach. Failed to monitor altitude.

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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