# NTSB BFO88IA057: Piper PA-31, N811CM, Morgantown, WV, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Fatal · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1988, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Morgantown, WV
- Coordinates: 39.630493, -79.939926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6305&lon=-79.9399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88IA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88IA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DIED FROM CORONARY DISEASE WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 64 YR OLD PILOT WAS PRACTICING FULL STOP LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 18 WITH A SAFETY PILOT ABOARD. THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTEDTHAT ON THE 3RD LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON ROLL-OUT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 40 KTS WHEN THE PILOT SLUMPED OVER. THE PILOT WAS RESTRAINED BY THE SHOULDER HARNESS. THE SAFETY PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND STOPPED IT. THE SAFETY PILOT RADIOED FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RAMP. THE PILOT DIED LATER AT A HOSPITAL. A PATHOLOGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE PILOT HAD DIED FROM 'VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION, SECONDARY TO SEVERE ATHEROSCLEROTIC CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N811CM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-800-4046
- Airframe hours: 1280
- Engines: P&W PT6A-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clemson Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: MGW, Morgantown Muni, runway 18, 5,199 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19880607025589I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880607025589I), Jun 7, 1988: Piper PA31T1, Morgantown, WV, 1 fatal. Pilot practicing landing with a safety pilot collapsed and died on landing. Safety pilot took over. Heart disease.

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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