# NTSB BFO90FA036: Piper PA-28-140, N5886U, Ona, WV, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Ona, WV
- Coordinates: 38.480331, -82.219985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4803&lon=-82.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA036

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPERLY SET STABILATOR TRIM AND THE IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stabilator trim - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT LIFTOFF THE RUNWAY AT A SLOWER THAN NORMAL SPEED AND FAIL TO GAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT JUST CLEARED A RIDGELINE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE STABILATOR TRIM SET IN A NOSE HIGH SETTING. COMPUTATION OF THE WT AND BALANCE INDICATED AN OVERWEIGHT AIRCRAFT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5886U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5886U-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 28-26743, built 1970 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26743
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Coleman Thompson, III
- Registered owner: William C & Karen K Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1989
- Destination: MTN, BALTIMORE, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 12V, Ona, runway 25, 3,160 × 40 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 840 total, 757 in this make and model, 763 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTS

## 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 19900422010409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422010409A), Apr 22, 1990: Piper PA28140, Milton, WV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Over gross weight and aft CG failed to gain speed or altitude on climbout. Banked steeply stalled into trees. Burned

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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