# NTSB BFO85LA075: Piper PA-32-300, N2821Y, Williamsburg, VA, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Williamsburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.269744, -76.699295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2697&lon=-76.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT CONTACTED THE FIELD ON UNICOM FREQUENCY OF 122.8 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTIVE RWY WAS 31, WITH WIND FROM 040 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS. THE FINAL APPROACH WAS MADE WITH CRAB AND POWER, BUT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT WING LIFTED AND THE ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF RWY 31, COLLIDING WITH SHRUBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2821Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2821Y-1997-10-03), registration cancelled 1997-10-03, S/N 327940143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7940143
- Airframe hours: 970
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David C. Malatesta
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Destination: W70, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
- Airport: W70, Williamsburg, runway 31, 3,214 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 798 total, 88 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 13 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 19850914075029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914075029A), Sep 14, 1985: Piper PA32300, Williamsburg, VA, Substantial damage. Just prior to touchdown, the wind lifted the right wing. Aircraft went off runway side, struck shrubs on touchdown

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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