# NTSB CEN13CA303: Piper PA-28-140, N6784F, Livingston, TX, April 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2013, 23:30 local (Apr 14, 2013, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.685832, -95.017776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6858&lon=-95.0178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Houston - NTSB case key (mKey): 87029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87029/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87029 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay to not perform a go-around when he lost sight of the runway while on final approach to land at night. Contributing to the accident was the obscuration (tall grass) of the runway edge lights. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross country night VFR flight, the pilot decided to make a stop to refuel prior to continuing to his final destination. After overflying the airport, he entered a standard left-hand traffic pattern. The pilot stated that everything was normal until nearing his flare to land on final approach. The runway lights began to disappear from the pilot's view for an unknown reason. As the pilot caught a glance of runway markings from the airplane's landing light reflection, he added power to execute a go-around but touched down just left of the runway's asphalt surface. He stated that the touchdown was gentle, so he elected to abandon the go-around and reduced power. The airplane then contacted unseen taxi signs with the right wing and right landing gear and the left landing gear before the pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage to leading edge of the right wing from the contact with the taxi signs. After exiting the airplane, the pilot discovered that the grass surrounding the runway had not been cut and was waist high, which could have obscured the runway lighting as the airplane descended on short final approach. He stated that he was not able to see and avoid the taxi signs. The pilot stated after the accident that he was not expecting to lose sight of the runway lighting during final approach. He also stated that he should have made the decision to attempt a go-around sooner. ## Factual narrative During a cross country night VFR flight, the pilot decided to make a stop to refuel prior to continuing to his final destination. After overflying the airport, he entered a standard left-hand traffic pattern. The pilot stated that everything was normal until nearing his flare to land on final approach. The runway lights began to disappear from the pilot's view for an unknown reason. As the pilot caught a glance of runway markings from the airplane's landing light reflection, he added power to execute a go-around but touched down just left of the runway's asphalt surface. He stated that the touchdown was gentle, so he elected to abandon the go-around and reduced power. The airplane then contacted unseen taxi signs with the right wing and right landing gear and the left landing gear before the pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage to leading edge of the right wing from the contact with the taxi signs. After exiting the airplane, the pilot discovered that the grass surrounding the runway had not been cut and was waist high, which could have obscured the runway lighting as the airplane descended on short final approach. He stated that he was not able to see and avoid the taxi signs. The pilot stated after the accident that he was not expecting to lose sight of the runway lighting during final approach. He also stated that he should have made the decision to attempt a go-around sooner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6784F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6784F), registered now, S/N 28-7725079, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7725079 - Airframe hours: 3083 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Clinton Grant - Registered owner: James Clinton Grant - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 2013, 15 hours before - Departed: T41, Houston, TX - Destination: GLE, Gainesville, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 00R, Livingston Municipal Airport, runway 12, 3,704 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 304 total, 270 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: 6R3, 20 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87029. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396184&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. --- 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.