# NTSB BFO88LA071: Piper PA-22-150, N1665A, Harrisonburg, VA, August 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 21:00 local (Aug 4, 1988, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.42908, -78.869705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4291&lon=-78.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS DURING A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT. HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG ON WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A LIGHTED FARM LANDING STRIP. HOWEVER, HE LATER LEARNED THE STRIP WAS ACTUALLY A ROW OF LIGHTED TURKEY BARNS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AS HE MADE THE APCH HE SAW A POWER LINE IN HIS PATH SO HE TRIED TO DO A GO-AROUND. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE DID NOT COMPENSATE WITH ADEQUATE POWER AND THE ACFT STALLED. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND STRUCK A HILL ABOUT 250 FT SHORT OF THE INITIALLY SELECTED LANDING AREA. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY MALFUNCTIONS OF THE EQUIPMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1665A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1665A-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 22-422, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-422
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O. Eugene Lejeune
- Registered owner: O. Eugene Lejeune
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 12G, SHELBY, OH
- Destination: W93, ORANGE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 957 total, 927 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 28 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 19880803029979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803029979A), Aug 3, 1988: Piper PA22, Harrisonburg, VA, Substantial damage. Encountered clouds. En route at night. Elected land on lighted strip. Actuall turkey barns. Stalled avoiding wires.

## Other investigations on N1665A (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL94LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA109), May 29, 1994: Piper PA-22\20 (N1665A), Kill Devil Hill, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION DURING A LANDING ROLLOUT.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.