# NTSB NYC85LA069: Piper PA-28-161, N8318L, Beaver Falls, PA, February 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Falls, PA
- Coordinates: 40.759071, -80.32096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7591&lon=-80.3210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A SUPERVISED SOLO FLT. WHILE LANDING WITH AN 8 KT RGT X-WIND, THE ACFT VEERED LEFT, WENT OFF THE RWY & HIT A 1 FT DEEP SNOWBANK, THEN NOSED OVER. NO PRE-IMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8318L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8318L-1991-04-08), registration cancelled 1991-04-08, S/N 288116122 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288116122
- Airframe hours: 2564
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Beaver Aviation Service, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1985
- Airport: Beaver County, runway 10, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850221006099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850221006099A), Feb 21, 1985: Piper PA28161, Beaver Falls, PA, Substantial damage. Student solo landed in crosswind veered off runway into a snowbank. Nosed over. Unskilled in crosswind procedure.

## Other investigations on N8318L (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 NYC88DGM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DGM03), Nov 14, 1987: Piper PA-28-161 (N8318L), Spartansburg, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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