# NTSB BFO87LA029: Cessna 205, N8381Z, Midland, VA, April 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1987, 20:40 local (Apr 9, 1987, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Midland, VA
- Coordinates: 38.590499, -77.720993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5905&lon=-77.7210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD EVER LANDED ON RWY 32. DURING THE LNDG APCH, ABOUT 15 SECS BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HIS EYEGLASSES BROKE AND FELL OFF HIS FACE. HE REACHED FOR HIS SPARE EYEGLASSES THAT WERE ON TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, DURING THIS EFFORT THE SPARE EYEGLASSES FELL ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE RIGHT-SEAT-RUDDER PEDALS. HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH RETRIEVING THE EYEGLASSES AND AS A RESULT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. AFTERWARDS THE ACFT FLOATED IN THE AIR AND DRIFTED LEFT. THE L WING HIT SMALL TREES THAT WERE 10 TO 15 FT LEFT OF THE RWY. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AS A RESULT THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THE LANDING GEAR WAS ON THE RWY WHEN THE WING HIT THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8381Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8381Z), registered now, S/N 205-0381, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 205-0381
- Airframe hours: 2568
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Safe Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: LBO, LEBANON, MO
- Destination: W66, MIDLAND, VA
- Airport: W66, Warrenton-Fauquick, runway 32, 4,106 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 25 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 19870408008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870408008879A), Apr 8, 1987: Cessna 2105, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. On final exe glasses broke. Fell off. Reaching for spare glasses lost contol on narrow runway. Wing hit trees.

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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