# NTSB CEN09CA581: Piper PA-32-301, N117EM, Spicewood, TX, September 5, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2009, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Spicewood, TX
- Coordinates: 30.477777, -98.121109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4778&lon=-98.1211&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA581
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74722/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74722
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA581

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Upon landing on the 30-foot-wide runway at the destination airport, the private pilot applied the brakes. The airplane turned sharply to the left and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the upright position, approximately 150 feet from the runway's edge. Damage was sustained to the airplane's nosewheel, firewall and left wing. An examination of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not discover any anomalies with the airplane's controls or braking system.

## Factual narrative

Upon landing on the 30-foot-wide runway at the destination airport, the private pilot applied the brakes. The airplane turned sharply to the left and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the upright position, approximately 150 feet from the runway's edge. Damage was sustained to the airplane's nosewheel, firewall and left wing. An examination of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not discover any anomalies with the airplane's controls or braking system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N117EM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8006093
- Airframe hours: 2142
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K165 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2009, 16 hours before
- Departed: 11R, Brenham, TX
- Destination: 88R, Spicewood, TX
- Airport: 88R, Spicewood, runway 17, 4,185 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 693 total, 400 in this make and model, 693 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20090905024979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090905024979A), Sep 5, 2009: Piper PA-32-301, Spicewod, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated a normal approach and landing to spicewood airport (88R). After touchdown on runway 17 the airplane veered to the left and off the runway coming…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74722. 625 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 625 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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