# NTSB BFO88FA034: Piper PA-28-140, N1719J, Manassas, VA, April 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1988, 20:35 local (Apr 6, 1988, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,visual apch slope ind(vasi) - not operating (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED WAYCROSS, GA, ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO MANASSAS, VA. DURING THE APPROACH INTO MANASSAS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TREES OFF THE APPROACH ENDS OF RWYS 34L AND 34R. BOTH RWYS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME AND IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED INTO AN OPEN FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT BETWEEN THE EXTENDED CENTERLINES OF THE RUNWAYS. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE OR THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE VASI LIGHTS HAD BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE APPROACHES TO RUNWAYS 34L AND 34R WERE DESCRIBED BY PILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AS BEING LIKE A 'BLACK HOLE' DUE TO THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCES OVER THE TREES AND FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1719J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1719J-1995-12-15), registration cancelled 1995-12-15, S/N 2824131 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24131
- Airframe hours: 1962
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johnnie Q. Herrin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1987, 78 hours before
- Departed: FVX, FARMVILLE, VA
- Destination: W10, MANASSAS, VA
- Airport: W10, Manassas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 201 total, 187 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 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 19880405007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880405007479A), Apr 5, 1988: Piper PA28140, Manassas, VA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck trees on night approach to W10. Stalled into field short of runway. Black hole type approach. VASI inop.

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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