# NTSB Accident ERA15LA315
> **PIPER PA 28-161** · 2015-08-16 · Bristow, VA, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ERA15LA315
- **Event ID:** 20150816X35140
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2015-08-16
- **Location:** Bristow, VA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 38.743888, -77.549163
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** PIPER
- **Model:** PA 28-161
- **Registration:** N82587
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ERA15LA315) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*