# NTSB CEN10CA419: Piper PA-11, N4969M, Leander, TX, June 19, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2010, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Leander, TX
- Coordinates: 30.601943, -97.818885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6019&lon=-97.8189&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA419
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76712/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76712
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA419

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101102), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While on a low final approach, the airplane encountered a downdraft over an area of trees. The pilot initiated full engine power; however, the airplane continued to settle until the right landing gear impacted the top branches of a tree. The pilot was able to continue the approach and landed successfully. Once back to the hangar the pilot exited the airplane and discovered that the fuselage had sustained structural damage during the impact.

## Factual narrative

While on a low final approach, the tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane experienced a downdraft over an area of trees. The pilot initiated full engine power; however, the airplane continued to settle until the right landing gear impacted the top branches of a tree. The pilot was able to continue the approach and landed successfully. Once back to the hangar the pilot exited the airplane and discovered that the fuselage had sustained structural damage during the impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4969M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4969M), registered now, S/N 11-456, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-456
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Campbell David
- Registered owner: Campbell David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 77T, Leander, TX
- Destination: 77T, Leander, TX
- Airport: 77T, Kittie Hill, runway 17, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 1,017 total, 4 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76712. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338387&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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