# NTSB BFO86FA011: Piper PA-28-140, N41204, Westminster, MD, December 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1985, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Westminster, MD
- Coordinates: 39.569538, -76.999542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5695&lon=-76.9995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS FLYING IN A FLIGHT OF THREE RETURNING FROM HAVING LUNCH AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. THE FIRST PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND AFTER BOUNCING DURING TOUCHDOWN ON THE DOWNHILL 1830 FOOT LONG BY 30 FOOT WIDE AIRSTRIP. HE THEN CAME AROUNDAND MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING. THE STUDENT PILOT, WAS OBSERVED BY BOTH THE FIRST AND THIRD PILOTS, TO PULL UP NOSE HIGH AND LEFT WING LOW ON SHORT FINAL. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST IN THE BEDROOM OF A NEARBY RESIDENCE. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUNUP WHILE STILL ATTACHED TO THE AIRFRAME AT A NEARBY FACILITY ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THE STUDENT PILOT CLAIMED THAT A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND PREVENTED HIM FROM LINING UP THE AIRCRAFT FOR LANDING WHILE ON SHORT FINAL AND HE ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41204-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 28-7425205, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425205
- Airframe hours: 2041
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Lewis Carl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Destination: 2W2, WESTMINSTER, MD
- Airport: 2W2, Clearview Airport, runway 31, 1,830 × 30 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 95 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 23 nm away

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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