# NTSB ATL92LA048: Piper PA32-300, N332DD, Hickory, NC, February 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1992, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Hickory, NC
- Location: 35.7411° N, 81.3896° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HICKORY RGNL (HKY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7411&lon=-81.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport/facilities - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A VISUAL LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED AN UNSPECIFIED PROBLEM TO THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION AND ELECTED TO GO AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY ON THE SECOND APPROACH.  EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCLOSED THAT THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE MAINS AND THE SEPARATION OF THE NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY.  THE EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED THAT 3 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS IN THE FUEL TANKS.  SUBSEQUENT INTERVIEWS WITH THE PILOT DISCLOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, INCLUDING THE FINAL TOUCHDOWN. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N332DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N332DD-1998-11-16), registration cancelled 1998-11-16, S/N 327840072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7840072
- Airframe hours: 1845
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keller, Sammy O.
- Registered owner: Keller, Sammy O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1991, 40 hours before
- Departed: MRN, MORGANTON, NC
- Destination: HKY
- Airport: HKY, Hickory Regional, runway 24, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,027 total, 500 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 1 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 19920220003259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920220003259A), Feb 20, 1992: Piper PA32300, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final unchecked caused impact short of runway. Went around prior due unknown problem.

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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