# NTSB BFO89LA061: Piper PA-32R-300, N69WP, Blacksburg, VA, July 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1989, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Blacksburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.230766, -80.419387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2308&lon=-80.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA061

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE  COMPENSATION  FOR THE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT NOTED THAT DURING ARRIVAL, THE WIND SOCK WAS LIMP. HE TRIED TO CONTACT UNICOM, BUT THERE WAS NO ANSWER, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 30. HE STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN & 'FLIPPED OVER ON ROLLOUT.'  AN INV REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED ON THE RWY, THEN SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE AT AN ANGLE. PIECES OF THE LEFT WING WERE REMAINING ON THE RWY. THE PLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED (71 FT LEFT OF THE RWY) AFTER SKIDDING SVRL HUNDREDFT. ITS LEFT WING HAD SEPD NEAR THE WING ROOT & THE RGT WING WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PLANE 'SEEMED TO TOUCH THE GROUND NOSE FIRST AND FALL APART.'  ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT 'BEFORE HITTING THE RUNWAY, IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE PLANE TILTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AND THE NOSE BEGAN TO RISE. WHEN THE PLANE HIT THE RUNWAY, IT TILTED TO THE RIGHT BREAKING THE WING OFF.'  THE PLT BELIEVED HE HAD ENCTRD UNFAVORABLE WIND; AFTER THE ACDNT, HE ESTD THE WIND WAS FM 060 DEG A 5 KTS. APRX 23 MI SOUTH AT ROANOKE, THE WIND WAS CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69WP-1991-05-22), registration cancelled 1991-05-22, S/N 32R7780420 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780420
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Edward Moenmich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1989
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: BCB
- Airport: BCB, Virginia Tech, runway 30, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 200 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 23 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 19890722024759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890722024759A), Jul 22, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Blacksburg, VA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing. Left the runway and nosed over. Blamed a tail wind gust from nearby mountains.

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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