# NTSB BFO92LA045: Piper PA-31-350, N62951, Brewer, ME, March 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Brewer, ME
- Location: 44.7845° N, 68.7346° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brewer, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7845&lon=-68.7346&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE DURING FLARE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A VOR APPROACH TO RUNWAY 11 AND DESCENDED BELOW THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS. THE WIND SOCK INDICATED THERE WAS A LEFT TO RIGHT CROSS WIND NEAR THE RUNWAY. AS THE PILOT FLARED FOR TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND. HE CORRECTED AND THEN EXPERIENCED A SECOND GUST. WINDS AT AN AIRFIELD 13 MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST WERE REPORTED AS NORTH AT 3 KNOTS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY BUT REMAINED ATTACHED BY CABLES AND WIRES. THE PILOT SLOWED THE AIRPLANE AND CLEARED THE RUNWAY AT THE NEAREST INTERSECTION. HE EXITED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62951](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62951-2005-08-19), registration cancelled 2005-08-19, S/N 31-7752001, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7752001
- Engines: LYCOMING TSO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: North Central Airways, Inc
- Registered owner: Larsen Aircraft Sales & Lesing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1992, 55 hours before
- Departed: SF2, LINCOLN, RI
- Destination: 2W6, LEONARDTOWN, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2W6, St. Marys County, runway 11, 3,249 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,615 total, 3,857 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PXT, 13 nm away

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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