# NTSB CHI97LA294: Piper PA-32R-300, N2680Q, Fargo, ND, September 17, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1997, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Coordinates: 46.929359, -96.829696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9294&lon=-96.8297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA294

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance to the runway, while on final approach to land, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway during the landing.  The exposed runway lip was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - exposed runway lip/edge (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane touched down prior to the approach end of the runway. The end of the runway was approximately five inches higher than the surrounding terrain on which the airplane touched down. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the landing gear contacted the lip at the end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On September 17, 1997, at 1310 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 32R-300, N2680Q, operated by a commercial pilot landed short of runway 26 at the Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight departed Pipestone, Minnesota, on September 17, 1997, at 1200 central daylight time.

The pilot reported that the airplane touched down in the grass one foot short of the approach end of runway 26.  He reported that the center of the end of the runway is five inches higher than the grass.  According to the pilot the main landing gear was damaged when it contacted this rise at the beginning of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2680Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2680Q), registered now, S/N 32R-7780261, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780261
- Airframe hours: 2872
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarence J. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1997, 21 hours before
- Departed: PQN, PIPESTONE, MN
- Destination: FAR
- Airport: FAR, Hector International, runway 26, 4,387 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR

## 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 19970917027019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970917027019A), Sep 17, 1997: Piper PA32R300, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Landed short of the runway and right main landing gear penetrated the right wing. (-23) on September 17, 1997, at 1310 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper pa…

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.

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