# NTSB DCA82FA030: Piper PA-28-181, N8398T, Woodbridge, VA, August 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1982, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Woodbridge, VA
- Coordinates: 38.680347, -77.309654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6803&lon=-77.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA82FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA82FA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A VISUAL APPROACH FOR FINAL LANDING THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED & THE PLT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY THE ENG QUIT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A SMALL CLEARING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT 12 GALS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK & 1-1/2 PINTS FROM THE RIGHT TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT TANK POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8398T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-819049
- Airframe hours: 47672
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Clark, Jr.
- Registered owner: Woodbridge Airport, Inc.
- Departed: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: WOODBRIDGE, VA
- Airport: W22, Woodbridge Airport, Inc., runway 19, 2,150 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 586 total, 4 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 16 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 19820831043259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820831043259A), Aug 31, 1982: Piper PA28181, Woodbridge, WA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.