# NTSB CEN14CA285: Piper PA 32-260, N3FN, Lebanon, OH, June 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2014, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Lebanon, OH - Coordinates: 39.454444, -84.252777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4544&lon=-84.2528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89415/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89415 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA285 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-32-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he encountered wind gusts and turbulence on final approach to the runway but stated the air became calm approximately 300 feet above the ground. During the flare, as the wheels touched down, the pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind that caused the airplane to veer left off the runway with the left main wheel traveling into the grass. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not gain altitude and the pilot "lost control of the airplane." The airplane veered right, crossed the runway and travelled up an embankment. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been prevented if he focused on maintaining control of the airplane after touch down and not attempted a go-around, or made the decision to go-around sooner. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he encountered wind gusts and turbulence on final approach to the runway but stated the air became calm approximately 300 feet above the ground. During the flare, as the wheels touched down, the pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind that caused the airplane to veer left off the runway with the left main wheel traveling into the grass. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not gain altitude and the pilot "lost control of the airplane." The airplane veered right, crossed the runway and travelled up an embankment. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been prevented if he focused on maintaining control of the airplane after touch down and not attempted a go-around, or made the decision to go-around sooner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3FN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3FN), registered now, S/N 32-7500007, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-260 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7500007 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 8054 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flying Neutrons LLC - Registered owner: Flying Neutrons LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2013 - Departed: I68, Lebanon, OH - Destination: I68, Lebanon, OH - Airport: I68, Warren County/John Lane Field, runway 01, 4,502 × 65 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 254.5 total, 14.6 in this make and model, 211.6 as pilot in command, 1.2 in the last 90 days, 1.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: KMGY, 8 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 20140604008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140604008269A), Jun 4, 2014: Piper PA-32-260, Lebanon, OH, Substantial damage. Upon the landing approach the aircraft encountered light turbulance. The automated weather observation system (AWOS) was reporting winds from 330 degrees at 10… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89415. 589 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with Accident Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Accident%20Pilot%20-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.