# NTSB BFO87LA018: Piper PA-28R-200R, N33399, West Point, VA, February 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1987, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: West Point, VA
- Coordinates: 37.550369, -76.800292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5504&lon=-76.8003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - failure,total (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT THE CFI DECIDED TO LET THE STUDENT PILOT MAKE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AT WEST POINT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. WEST POINT, VIRGINIA. THE MANEUVER WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME AROUND IN THE PATTERN FOR ANOTHER LANDING. DURING THE SECOND LANDING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED A SNOW BANK THAT WAS ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND SWERVED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF IT. AS THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33399](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33399), registered now, S/N 28R-7535142, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200R (PA-28R-200)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535142
- Airframe hours: 3449
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Langley Aero Club
- Registered owner: Peck And Hurb Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1986, 36 hours before
- Departed: W97, LANGLEY, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W97, West Point Municipal, runway 27, 3,750 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,350 total, 47 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 27 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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