# NTSB DCA83AA030: Meyers OTW, N26475, Woodbridge, VA, June 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1983, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Woodbridge, VA
- Location: 38.6403° N, 77.2558° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Woodbridge, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6403&lon=-77.2558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA83AA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA83AA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 2000 FT MSL, THE PLT NOTICED A DEFINITE LOSS OF POWER & RPM, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. HE REVERSED COURSE INTENDING TO LAND AT AN ARPT THAT HE HAD PASSED. A CLATTERING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE ENG, WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VISIBLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT EXHAUST STACK. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SMALL PASTURE. THE PLT PLANNED HIS LANDING INTO THE WIND & SLIPPED THE PLANE WHILE APPROACHING OVER TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. HOWEVER, AS THE ACFT NEARED THE GROUND, CATTLE BOLTED FROM THE TREES & THE PLT BANKED THE ACFT SHARPLY TO AVOID THE CATTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED, THE LEFT WINGS OF THE BIPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASH LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26475](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26475), registered now, S/N 28, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Meyers Aircraft Co. OTW
- Registry model: [Meyers OTW](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyers-otw) (registry code 5650202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Engines: MEYERS WARNER 125 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dudley J. Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LANCASTER, PA
- Destination: FREDRICKSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,000 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 12 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.

---
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.