# NTSB FTW97LA203: Piper PA-28-161, N8351R, Bridgeport, TX, May 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1997, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.199367, -97.749443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1994&lon=-97.7494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20229 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20229/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA203 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude. A contributing factor was a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis After a 30 minute cross country flight, the pilot flew over the destination airport and observed that the wind sock was 'not functioning.' She then elected to use the same traffic pattern established by another airplane that was already in the pattern (runway 35). On final approach, she determined that she was 'high' and elected to extend full flaps to land. While on the landing roll, she decided to retract the flaps and apply full power for takeoff. After becoming airborne, 'following an insufficient gain of altitude', she elected to land on the remaining runway. By this time, she was 3/4 of the way down the available runway. Subsequently, the airplane overran the runway surface, rolling through a three foot deep ditch and striking a fence. The length of runway 35 is 4,009 feet. The closest weather observation facility, located approximately 25 miles south east of the accident site, reported the winds to be from 180 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1997, at 1730 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N8351R, owned and operated by Delta Aeronautics of Fort Worth, Texas, was substantially damaged during landing at Bridgeport Municipal Airport, near Bridgeport, Texas. All 4 occupants, the private pilot and 3 passengers, were not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross country flight. The flight originated from Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported, via NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the purpose of the flight was to fly from Fort Worth to Bridgeport, and return. Upon arrival at Bridgeport, she flew over the airport and observed that the wind sock was "not functioning." She then elected to use the same traffic pattern established by another airplane that was already in the pattern (runway 35). She further reported that no one responded to her radio calls on the local Unicom frequency. On final approach, she determined that she was "high" and elected to extend full flaps to land. While on the landing roll, she decided to retract the flaps and apply full power for takeoff. After becoming airborne, "following an insufficient gain of altitude", she elected to land on the remaining runway. By this time, she was 3/4 of the way down the available runway. Subsequently, the airplane overran the runway surface, rolling through a three foot deep ditch and striking a fence. The propeller, nose and right main landing gear were damaged, and both wings sustained structural damage. The length of runway 35 at Bridgeport Municipal Airport is 4,009 feet. The closest weather observation facility is located at Meacham Field, approximately 25 miles south east of the accident site. The winds (at Meacham Field) were reported to be from 180 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8351R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8351R-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 28-8116174, built 1981 (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: 28-8116174 - Airframe hours: 5159 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Delta Aeronautics Inc. - Registered owner: K. M. Miloud - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 1997 - Departed: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX - Destination: 1F9, TX - Airport: IF9, Bridgeport, runway 35, 4,009 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 167 total, 35 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °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 19970524011989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970524011989A), May 24, 1997: Piper PA28161, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot approach hgih and fast. Began go around then aborted. Landed last few ft runway. Overran into fence and trees (-23) on may 24, 1997, at approximately… 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.