# NTSB NYC05CA076: Piper PA-28-140, N8730E, Indian Head, MD, April 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2005, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Indian Head, MD - Coordinates: 38.600276, -77.072776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6003&lon=-77.0728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Washington FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61380/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance while on final approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach to runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot stated that he experienced a "sudden unexpected descent." He applied full engine power; however, the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane impacted the ground, about 100 to 150 feet, short of the runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. Winds reported about the time of the accident, at an airport that was located about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, were from 330 degrees at 9 knots, with 14 knot gusts. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2005, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8730E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Maryland Airport (2W5), Indian Head, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the airplane was on final approach to runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway, when he experienced a "sudden unexpected descent." He applied full engine power; however, the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. The inspector noted that the approach end of the runway contained a 50-foot drop off. The airplane impacted the ground about 100 to 150 feet prior to the runway. The pilot reported 400 hours of total fight experience, which included about 95 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Winds reported about the time of the accident, at an airport that was located about 10 miles northwest of 2W5, were from 330 degrees at 9 knots, with 14 knot gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8730E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8730E-2006-04-10), registration cancelled 2006-04-10, S/N 28-7625151, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7625151 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas W. Reichard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 2W5, Indian Head, MD - Destination: 2W5, Indian Head, MD - Airport: 2W5, Maryland Airport, runway 36, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 94 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: DAA, 10 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 20050427034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050427034289A), Apr 27, 2005: Piper PA28140, Indian Head, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was on a vfr-traffic-pattern final leg. Winds were reported as aligned with the runway in use, which due to the down-sloping terrain at the… ## Other investigations on N8730E (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 FTW76FRD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRD44), May 9, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N8730E), Lafayette, LA, substantial damage 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.