# NTSB IAD98LA016: Piper PA-28-181, N8068Z, Bally, PA, December 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Bally, PA - Coordinates: 40.400466, -75.579704 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4005&lon=-75.5797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Related factors were tailwind, and lack of total experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane touched down on runway 16, about 1,000 foot down the 2,420 foot long runway. The pilot said he was unable to stop on the runway, and the airplane exited the runway, and crossed a road into a field. The weather reported at an airport 21 miles west of the accident site, included winds from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported over 86 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours of pilot in command, all in make and model. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 1997, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8068Z, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at the Butter Valley Golf Port Airport, Bally, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The pilot reported that his flight from Pottstown was uneventful. He said the airplane touched down on runway 16, about 1,000 feet down the 2,420 foot long runway. He said, "...the 1,400 feet proved not to be enough to stop given my groundspeed, and I steered the plane to the right to avoid obstacles... ." The airplane exited the runway, and crossed a road into a field. The 1245 surface weather observation at an airport about 21 miles west of Bally, reported the winds from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported over 86 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours of pilot in command, all in make and model. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8068Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8068Z), registered now, S/N 28-8290086, built 1981 (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: 28-8290086 - Airframe hours: 8366 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Basco Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1997, 27 hours before - Departed: N47, POTTSTOWN, PA - Destination: 7N8, PA - Airport: 7N8, Butter Valley Golf Port, runway 16, 2,420 × 85 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 17 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDG, 21 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 19971216039039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971216039039A), Dec 16, 1997: Piper PA28181, Bally, PA, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast on short rwy. Veered off near end to avoid obstacles. 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.