# NTSB CEN12LA529: Piper PA32RT, N36103, Palo Pinto, TX, August 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2012, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Palo Pinto, TX - Coordinates: 32.821109, -98.478614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8211&lon=-98.4786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA529 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and a proper pitch attitude and airspeed while performing a go-around. ## 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: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103215), [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 go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a go-around when the airplane impacted trees off the east side of and about 1/3 of the distance down the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane did not attain a climb rate to clear the trees and that he flew the airplane at an airspeed close to stall. The pilot did not fly over the remaining runway, which would have provided obstacle clearance to a safe altitude. Also, flight near stall speed or a high pitch attitude provides a high drag condition, which results in reduced climb performance. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2012, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N36103, impacted terrain during a go-around at Sportsman's World Airport (TA65), Palo Pinto, Texas. The commercial pilot and four passengers were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by an individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the flight that departed from Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field (BMQ), Burnet, Texas, and was destined for TA65. The pilot stated that the airplane was on a 2-mile final when he saw a truck on the right side of runway 16 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He continued the approach and lost sight of truck when the airplane was about 20-50 feet above ground level and over the runway numbers. He said that he never saw the truck cross the runway. The pilot said that he decided to execute a go-around since the truck could cross in front of the airplane during rollout. The pilot applied full power and pitched up to establish a climb. The airplane climbed about 50 feet, struck a tree on the left side of the runway, and started to descend. The pilot kept the airplane flying just above stall speed hoping to gain altitude to avoid hangars that were also on the left side of the runway. The airplane did not impact the hangars and continued to descend until it contacted the ground collapsing the landing gear. The airplane then slid about 20 feet. The pilot reported that the airplane's ground track during the go-around traversed off the left side of the runway at the first taxiway located about 1,400 feet down runway 16 and continued on a southeasterly track. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The truck or its driver was not located during the course of the investigation by either the FAA inspector or the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36103](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36103-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 32R-7885161, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32RT (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885161 - Airframe hours: 4785 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Individual - Registered owner: Individual - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2012 - Departed: BMQ, Burnet, TX - Destination: Palo Pinto, TX - Airport: TA65, Sportsman's World Airport, runway 16, 4,200 × 65 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: RPH, 18 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 20120807018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120807018769A), Aug 7, 2012: Piper PA-32RT-300, Strawn, TX, Substantial damage. On August 7, 2012, at approximately 11:00 local time, a 1978 Piper lance, PA-32RT-300 aircraft, N36103, while attempting a go around maneuver at Sportman'S… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84607. 739 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 640 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-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.