# NTSB CEN21LA163: Piper PA 46-350P, N6074A, Port Aransas, TX, March 14, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 14, 2021, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Port Aransas, TX - Coordinates: 27.8197, -97.0925 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8197&lon=-97.0925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102802/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102802 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA163 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed on approach and his attempt to land on a wet runway with insufficient runway remaining, resulting in an overrun and loss of directional control. ## 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 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/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 46-350P, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing from an autopilot-coupled GPS approach when he noted that his airspeed over the runway numbers was 115 knots. The airplane floated over the wet runway touching down “just past the numbers”. The pilot applied full braking with over half of the runway remaining. The airplane slowed, but still slid off the end of the runway into the dirt. The airplane ground-looped, collapsing the left main landing gear and coming to a stop 180o facing the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recommended approach speed for the airplane is 85 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6074A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6074A-2025-06-13), registration cancelled 2025-06-13, S/N 4636451, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA 46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104619) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636451 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1679 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 20, 2020 - Departed: FTW, Fort Worth, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: RAS, Mustang Beach, runway 12/30, 3,482 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,600 total, 103 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; injuries: none; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KRAS - METAR: KRAS 141955Z AUTO 32017KT 10SM OVC005 16/15 A2994 RMK AO2 T01580148 ## 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 20210314005679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210314005679A), Mar 14, 2021: Piper Aircraft Inc PA 46-350P, Port Aransas, TT, Substantial damage. On March 14, 2021, at approximately 1400 hours, a Piper PA-46-350P [privacy data omitted], crashed at Mustang Beach Airport after running off runway 12. VFR… ## Other investigations on N6074A (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 GAA24WA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA072), Jan 5, 2024: Piper PA 46-350P (N6074A), Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila,, Mexico, destroyed, 4 fatal ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102802. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12305916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN21LA163%20Completed%206120%20w%20blocks%20for%20docket_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12306026&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20docket-Rel.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.