# NTSB BFO86FA036: Piper PA-28-160, N5444W, Michellville, MD, June 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 20:40 local (Jun 17, 1986, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Michellville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.949989, -76.729576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9500&lon=-76.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misread, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER CIRCLING AROUND THE AIRPORT, TRYING TO RAISE SOMEBODY ON UNICOM TO FIND OUT WIND CONDITIONS AT THE FIELD, THE PILOT NOTED THE LIGHTED WINDSOCK INDICATOR AND ELECTED TO LAND TO THE NORTH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO LAND LONG ON THE 2420 FOOT RUNWAY, TOUCHING DOWN PAST THE MIDWAY POINT, AND THEN THE ENGINE SOUNDS INCREASED. IT WAS NEXT OBSERVED TO CROSS OVER A HIGHWAY OFF THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE BEFORE NOSING DOWN INTO A FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISSED ALL SIGNS OF A DOWNWIND LANDING UNTIL TOO LATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5444W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5444W-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N 28521 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-521
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul B. Essex
- Registered owner: Paul B Essex
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Airport: WOO, Freeway, runway 36, 2,420 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 38 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 15 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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