# NTSB CEN11LA558: Piper Aerostar 601P, N8076J, Alpine, TX, August 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2011, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.384166, -103.683609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3842&lon=-103.6836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81439 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA558 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81439/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81439 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA558 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022721): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022721/cases.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022721/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the pilot felt a vibration in the airplane’s controls and elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. While on short final, the airplane impacted a fence then made a hard landing on the runway. During the landing, the main landing gear was pushed up through the wing and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently exited the runway before coming to rest in an upright position. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the bolt holding the rudder trim tab to the actuator connecting rod was missing. The absence of this bolt would have allowed the trim tab to swing freely on its hinge. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, he observed that the rudder trim system was inoperative. Unable to center the rudder trim tab, the pilot elected to remove the bolt before takeoff. The pilot further reported that he was planning to have the trim system repaired when he returned his home base. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2011, about 1600 central daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 601P, N8076J, experienced a vibration after takeoff from the Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), Alpine, Texas. Following a return to the airport, the airplane experienced a hard landing and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The private pilot, a second pilot, and the sole passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight destined for the Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), Houston, Texas. The pilot reported that after takeoff he felt a vibration in the airplane’s controls. The pilot elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. While on short final the airplane impacted a fence followed by a hard landing to the runway. During landing both main landing gear were pushed through the upper wing skins and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently exited the runway before coming to rest in an upright position. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the bolt holding the rudder trim tab to the actuator connecting rod was missing. The absence of this bolt would allow the trim tab to swing freely on its hinge. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot informed him that during the preflight inspection he observed that the rudder trim system was inoperative. Unable to center the rudder trim tab, the pilot elected to remove the bolt before takeoff. The pilot further reported that he was planning to have the trim system repaired back at his home base. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8076J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8076J-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 61P-0559-241, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 601P - Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P-0559-241 - Airframe hours: 2677 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2010 - Departed: E38, Alpine, TX - Destination: AXH, Houston, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: E38, Alpine-Casparis Municipal, runway 19, 6,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,164 total, 1,370 in this make and model, 4,164 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 75; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg ## 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 20110822020019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110822020019A), Aug 22, 2011: Piper AEROSTAR 601P, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. On August 22, 2011, at approximately 17:07CDT, an accident occurred involving the operation of N8076J, a Piper Aerostar 601P, and serial number 61P-0559-241.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81439. 9.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1, Airplane Left Quartering View (item 3, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201,%20Airplane%20Left%20Quartering%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 2, Trim Tab with Missing Bolt (item 4, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202,%20Trim%20Tab%20with%20Missing%20Bolt-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.