# NTSB FTW83LA389: Piper PA-28-161, N8115L, Bryan, TX, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 12:51 local (17:51 UTC)
- Place: Bryan, TX
- Coordinates: 30.640693, -96.359558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6407&lon=-96.3596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA389

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT TO THE COLLEGE STATION EASTERWOOD ARPT NEAR BRYAN, TX. WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE VICINITY, HE SAW A NEARBY ARPT, THE TEXAS A&M FLT TEST STATION. HE STATED THAT AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE ENG MISSED MOMENTARILY, 2 TIMES, THEN RAN SMOOTHLY. THE STUDENT REALIZED THAT THE TEST FACILITY WAS NOT HIS DESTINATION, BUT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENG & ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AFTER LANDING, HE TAXIED TO ARAMP AREA. WHILE TAXIING, HE REPORTEDLY ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND WHICH CAUSED THE ACFT TO VEER & COLLIDE WITH A POLE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 13 KTS. NO ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8115L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8115L), registered now, S/N 28-8016119, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Marks
- Registered owner: Edward V. Herbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1982
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 83TX, Flight Test Station, runway 17, 7,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 7 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 6 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 19830820043299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820043299A), Aug 20, 1983: Piper PA28161, Bryan, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred when student pilot attempted landing on airport closed to public. Pilot claimed engine problem.

## Other investigations on N8115L (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 NYC95LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA128), May 31, 1995: Piper PA-28-161 (N8115L), Bluffton, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: an improperly planned approach and touchdown, which resulted in an loss of directional control at touchdown, with the airplane departing the runway, and striking a ravine.

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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