# NTSB FTW85LA133: Piper PA-28-181, N7068C, Bartlesville, OK, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 19:30 local (Mar 3, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Bartlesville, OK
- Coordinates: 36.729682, -96.069221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7297&lon=-96.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AFTER ONE UNEVENTFUL FULL-STOP LANDING THE PLT RE-ENTERED THE PATTERN FOR A SECOND LANDING. THE PLT TRUNED TO FINAL AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL AND 65-70 KTS WITH THE RWY LIGHTS IN SIGHT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE LANDING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO TREES. A RIGHT TURN WAS INITIATED BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK ONE OF THE TREES 20 TO 30 FT AGL. THE ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE GROUND APROX 1/4 NORTH OF THE ARPT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO ACCOMPLISH 3 TAKE-OFFS AND LANDINGS AT NIGHT IN ORDER TO SATISFY FAR CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CARRYING PAX. HE FURTHER RELATED THAT NIGHT INSTRUCTION FROM A CFI IN THE PAST YEAR COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7068C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7068C-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 28-7690054, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7690054
- Airframe hours: 2145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bvo Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1984
- Departed: BVO, BARTLESVILLE, OK
- Airport: BVO, Frank Phillips, runway 17, 6,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 151 total, 48 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850302015319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302015319A), Mar 2, 1985: Piper PA28181, Bartlesville, OK, Destroyed. On final at night trees appeared in landing light. Unsuccessfuly tried to miss trees, impacted the ground.

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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