# NTSB NYC83FA098: Piper PA-28-181, N8167K, Blue Bell, PA, April 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Blue Bell, PA
- Coordinates: 40.139247, -75.260093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1392&lon=-75.2601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA098

## 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)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, 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 PLT HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON FORECAST STRONG WINDS & A SIGMET FOR MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MAKE A SERIES OF APPROACHES TO RWY 24. ON THE 1ST APPROACH THE ACFT WAS ALMOST OVER THE THRESHOLD AS THE BASE TURN WAS COMPLETED. THE WINGS WERE ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WIND WAS OUT OF THE NORTH WITH THE WINDSOCK FULLY EXTENDED PERPENDICULAR TO THE RWY. DURING THE GO-AROUND THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED CRABBING INTO THE WIND. DOWNWIND FOR THE 2ND APPROACH WAS EXTENDED, HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS 50-100 FT AGL AT THE THRESHOLD. A 2ND GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED 1/3 DOWN THE RWY. THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR THE 3RD APPROACH WAS EXTENDED EVEN FURTHER. THE APPROACH APPEARED TO BE SLOW. THE 3RD GO- AROUND WAS INITIATED 100-150 FT AGL NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. A SLOW CLIMBING TURN WAS MADE TO THE LEFT. AS THE ACFT BEGAN A 2ND CIRCLE THE NOSE PITCHED UP & THE ACFT STALLED. LINE PERSONNEL ESTIMATED THE WINDS AS 350 DEG AT 20 KTS GUSTING 28 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8167K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8290104
- Airframe hours: 193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis C. Grant, Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1983, 29 hours before
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: N67
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: N67, Wings Field, runway 24, 2,618 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 141 total, 55 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NXX, 7 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 19830416075739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416075739A), Apr 16, 1983: Piper PA28181, Blue Bell, PA, Destroyed. Pilot attempted crosswind landing in winds that exceeded aircraft capabilities. Crashed during go around.

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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