# NTSB ATL92LA087: Piper PA28-161, N6336C, Rutherfordton, NC, April 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1992, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Rutherfordton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.359436, -81.960388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3594&lon=-81.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A LANDING ROLL WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

N6336C SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SOD STRIP DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE FAILED TO RESPOND AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE RIGHT BRAKE ASSEMBLY ALSO OPERATED NORMALLY AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6336C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6336C-1995-02-07), registration cancelled 1995-02-07, S/N 287816410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816410
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chapel Hill Flying Club
- Registered owner: Chapel Hill Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: W52, CHAPEL HILL, NC
- Destination: 79A, RUTHERFORDTON, NC
- Airport: 79A, Clutes Airport, runway 26, 2,300 × 175 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 52 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 20 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 19920423013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920423013269A), Apr 23, 1992: Piper PA28161, Forest City, NC, Substantial damage. Skidded off grass strip into trees on landing. Blamed brakes. No defects found.

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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