# NTSB BFO89LA011: Piper PA-24-250, N8215P, Port Royal, VA, November 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1988, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Royal, VA
- Coordinates: 38.159084, -77.189743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1591&lon=-77.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - generator - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING WHICH FORECAST IFR AFTER 1800 EST. HE DEPARTED DCA IN LIGHT DRIZZLE CONDITIONS. ARPX 35 NM FROM DCA, RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT ATC TO NO AVAIL. HE REPORTED THAT NEAR THE BROOK VOR THE VOR NEEDLE WAS MOVING SLUGGISHLY AND THE AMMETER SHOWED A STRONG DISCHARGE. THE PLT STATED HE NOTED THE DG NOT WORKING. DUE TO THE DECREASE IN CEILING HE MADE A DESCENT TO 1000 FT MSL TO REMAIN VFR. AFTER 2 OR 3 MINUTES THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO REMAIN VFR AND NOTED THE CEILING HAD DECREASED AROUND HIM AND HE WAS IN AN OPEN AREA APRX 1 TO 2 MILES WIDE. DURING THE TURN, PLT NOTED ARTIFICIAL HORIZON TUMBLED. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A STOP SIGN RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF ACFT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL OR VACUUM SYSTEM OTHER THAN THE BATTERY WAS NEARLY DRAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8215P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8215P), registered now, S/N 24-3468, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3468
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A.D. Smith, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 22 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Destination: PVG, PORTSMOUTH, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 202 total, 44 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N8215P (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 WPR09CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA157), Mar 17, 2009: Piper PA-24-250 (N8215P), San Luis Obispo, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during touchdown.

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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