Piper PA-28-180 accident near Bridgeport, Texas, July 16, 2001
On July 16, 2001 at about 8:15 am local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N8454W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bridgeport, Texas (Bridgeport Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the non-certificated pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2001 · about 8:15 am local time
- Place
- Bridgeport, Texas · Bridgeport Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N8454W · no longer on the register · serial 28-2690
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot, who had stolen the airplane, attempted to land on a lighted runway during dark night conditions. The airplane came to rest in a 20 to 30 degree nose down attitude on the approach end of the runway approximately 5 feet to the right of the runway centerline. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The non-certificated pilot was reported to have 6 hours of previous flight time.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Flight time: 6 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,549 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2001; 69 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WEA Weatherford TX
- Destination: DUC Duncan OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,004 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from DTO, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.