# NTSB CEN19CA017: Piper PA28R, N6899C, Hobbs, NM, October 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2018, 19:40 local (Oct 28, 2018, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Hobbs, NM - Coordinates: 32.68222, -103.221107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6822&lon=-103.2211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Navigation error](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/280) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 98563 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19CA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98563/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98563 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect altimeter setting during the night visual approach, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Indicating/recording systems: instrument panel ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Navigation error](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/280) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/280/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/280/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he entered a left traffic pattern for runway 30 during night, visual meteorological conditions. Although the pilot thought he had sufficient altitude during the initial phase of the final approach based on his altimeter indication, shortly after turning to final approach, the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage, and the three occupants were not injured. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The examination did reveal that the altimeter had an incorrect setting, which resulted in an altimeter indication error of +800 ft mean sea level. The pilot stated that he must have had the incorrect altimeter setting for the destination airport. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he entered a left traffic pattern for runway 30 during night visual meteorological conditions. Shortly after turning final approach, the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot thought he had sufficient altitude during the initial phase of the final approach based on his altimeter indication. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage, and the three occupants were not injured. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the pilot had an improper altimeter setting that resulted in the altimeter indication error of +800 ft mean sea level, and the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that he must have had the wrong altimeter setting for the destination airport. Runway 30 was equipped with medium intensity runway edge lights, and a 4-light precision approach path indicator light system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6899C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6899C-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 28R-7837176, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R (201) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7837176 - Year built: 1978 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2017 - Departed: CNM, Carlsbad, NM - Destination: HOB, Hobbs, NM - Airport: HOB, Lea County Regional Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 192 total, 184 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 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 20181027020959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181027020959A), Oct 27, 2018: Piper PA-28R-201, Hobbs, NM, Substantial damage. On October 27, 2018, at approximately 1940 MST, N6899C, a Piper PA-28R impacted the terrain 3.5 miles east of Hobbs airport (khob), Hobbs, new Mexico. The… ## Other investigations on N6899C (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI02LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA015), Oct 28, 2001: Piper PA-28R-201 (N6899C), Lapeer, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the touchdown aim point not attained by the pilot rated student and the remedial action not performed by the flight instructor. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98563. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-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.