# NTSB FTW89FA096: Piper PA-28-180, N2211T, Boise City, OK, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 22:25 local (May 22, 1989, 03:25 UTC)
- Place: Boise City, OK
- Coordinates: 36.729164, -102.509483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7292&lon=-102.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA096

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. THE DARK NIGHT AND ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND OBSERVED EN ROUTE TO THE AIRPORT FOR WHAT APPEARED TO BE A STRAIGHT-IN LANDING TO THE NORTHEAST. THE PILOT HAD EARLIER REPORTED TURBULENCE AND SOME CONCERN WITH THE LANDING WINDS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING IN A LOCATION CONSISTENT WITH A CROSSWIND TO RUNWAY 4. IMPACT WAS A STEEP NOSE DOWN AND LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND A LARGE THUNDERSTORM TO THE NORTHEAST AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPORT AREA IS AN ISOLATED LOCATION WITH LITTLE OR NO VISUAL REFERENCE FOR NIGHT OPERATIONS TO THE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2211T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2211T-1999-09-29), registration cancelled 1999-09-29, S/N 28-7105187 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105187
- Airframe hours: 4595
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Potter, Don E.
- Registered owner: Don E Potter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 97 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: 17K, Boise City, runway 4, 4,211 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 45° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890521012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521012299A), May 21, 1989: Piper PA28180, Boise City, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control circling airport at night in rough air.

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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