# NTSB FTW01LA165: Piper PA-28-180, N8454W, Bridgeport, TX, July 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2001, 03:15 local (08:15 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.175277, -97.82833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1753&lon=-97.8283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52722/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=52722 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA165 ## Probable cause the non-certificated pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - flare - improper, unqualified person (cause) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot, who had stolen the airplane, attempted to land on a lighted runway during dark night conditions. The airplane came to rest in a 20 to 30 degree nose down attitude on the approach end of the runway approximately 5 feet to the right of the runway centerline. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The non-certificated pilot was reported to have 6 hours of previous flight time. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2001, approximately 0315 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, single-engine airplane, N8454W, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport, Bridgeport, Texas. The airplane was owned by a private individual. It had been stolen and was being operated by a non-certificated pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and his passenger received serious injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Weatherford, Texas, at an unknown time, and the flight was possibly en route to Durant, Oklahoma. The owner of the airplane reported to the local authorities and the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the airplane was stolen. At 1900, on the evening prior to the accident, the owner had last seen his airplane tied down in his open "T" hangar at the Parker County Airport in Weatherford, approximately 25 nautical miles south of Bridgeport. Local authorities, the FAA inspector, and the engine and airframe manufacturer representatives, who responded to the site, found the airplane resting on the approach end of runway 17. The initial impact scraps and gouges on the runway contained white paint consistent with the color of the aircraft. Physical evidence found at the accident site indicated the airplane impacted the runway at about a 20-30 degree nose down attitude then slid about 90 feet before coming to rest approximately 5 feet to the right of the runway centerline. The integrity of both fuel tanks was compromised and fuel stains from an estimated 10 gallons of fuel were found spread over the runway. One propeller blade had rotational scoring and leading edge gouging and displayed rotational twisting approximately one-foot inboard from the blade tip. Control continuity was established via the cables. The flaps were in the retracted position, and the fuel selector was on the right fuel tank. The cockpit throttle control was at idle and the mixture control was full forward. According to the airframe manufacturer's representative, there were no discrepancies with the airframe "that would preclude normal operation prior to the impact." Local authorities reported dark night conditions with 1/8 moon. The runway lights and rotating beacon were "ON." On July 18, 2001, the engine was examined at Air Salvage of Dallas by the engine manufacturer's representative, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. The carburetor was removed from the engine and hand operation of the accelerator pump expelled fuel from the carburetor bowl. The carburetor fuel screen was clean and clear of debris. The engine crankshaft was rotated and continuity was noted from the propeller flange through the accessory case. Thumb suction and compression were verified on all cylinders and all valves operated. The magnetos were removed and sparked at all terminals when rotated. According to the engine manufacturer's representative, there were no discrepancies with the engine "that would preclude normal operation prior to the impact." According to the FAA inspector, the non-certificated pilot had never held a pilot certificate. Local authorities reported that the non-certificated pilot had 6 hours of previous flight time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8454W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8454W-2002-01-25), registration cancelled 2002-01-25, S/N 28-2690, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2690 - Airframe hours: 3549 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adam W. Bramblett - Registered owner: Walter L. Cundiff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2001, 69 hours before - Departed: WEA, Weatherford, TX - Destination: DUC, DUNCAN, OK - Airport: 1F9, Bridgeport Municipal, runway 17, 4,004 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: serious; seat: left; flight hours: 6 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: DTO, 30 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 20010716020309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010716020309A), Jul 16, 2001: Piper PA28180, Bridgeport, TX, No damage. (.19) On July 16, 2001, approximately 0316 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, single-engine airplane, N8454W, sustained substantial damage during the… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=52722. 2.9 MB in all. - Owner report (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14362608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Owner%20Report-Master-Rel.pdf - Party representatives reports 2 (item 2, PDF, 18 pages, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14362224&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Representatives%20Reports%202-Master-Rel.pdf - Hudson oaks police report (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417301&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Hudson%20Oaks%20Police%20Report-Master-Rel.pdf - Texas dps report (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417371&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Texas%20DPS%20Report-Master-Rel.pdf - Portions of maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417781&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Portions%20of%20Maintenance%20Records-Master-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417908&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage NTSB form 612015 (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage%20%20NTSB%20Form%20612015-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 1_ view of initial impact point and aircraft looking south (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417607&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201_View%20of%20initial%20impact%20point%20and%20aircraft%20looking%20south-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 2_ view of aircraft looking west (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417374&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%202_View%20of%20aircraft%20looking%20west-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 3_ view of aircraft looking north (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417611&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%203_View%20of%20aircraft%20looking%20north-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 4_ view of aircraft looking northeast (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417994&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%204_View%20of%20aircraft%20looking%20northeast-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 5_ view of aircraft looking southeast (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417615&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%205_View%20of%20aircraft%20looking%20southeast-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 6_ view of propeller and engine (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417306&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%206_View%20of%20propeller%20and%20engine-Master-Rel.pdf - Photo 7_ view of propeller blade (item 14, PDF, 1 page, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14417097&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%207_View%20of%20propeller%20blade-Master-Rel.pdf 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.