# NTSB BFO94LA153: Piper PA-30, N8541Y, Wolfeboro, NH, August 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1994, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Wolfeboro, NH
- Location: 43.5936° N, 71.2116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wolfeboro, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5936&lon=-71.2116&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA153

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN INFLIGHT COLLISSION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING LANDING AT A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT HE ADDED POWER TO GO-AROUND, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK SOME BRANCHES AND SPUN THE AIRCRAFT AROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On August 27, 1994, at 1715 eastern daylight time, N8541Y, a Piper PA-30, owned and operated by David Smallidge of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, collided with trees during landing at a private grass strip in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.  The certificated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured while the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Sanford, Maine.

The pilot reported that during landing at the airstrip, the airplane veered to the left.  He stated that he added power to go-around, but the left wing struck some branches and spun the airplane around.  The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8541Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8541Y-1997-10-04), registration cancelled 1997-10-04, S/N 301599 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1599
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Smallidge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SFM, SANFORD, ME
- Destination: PVT, NH
- Airport: PVT, Mountain View

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 661 total, 93 in this make and model, 558 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940827048639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940827048639A), Aug 27, 1994: Piper PA30, Wolfboro, NH, Substantial damage. Veered on landing. Began go around but left wing struck some tree branches. Spun around off runway.

## Other investigations on N8541Y (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 MIA75DKJ37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DKJ37), Jan 19, 1975: Piper PA-30 (N8541Y), Talladega, AL, substantial damage

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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