# NTSB DEN07CA103: Piper PA-30, N8078Y, Highgate, VT, June 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 22, 2007, 18:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Highgate, VT
- Coordinates: 44.983333, -73.166664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9833&lon=-73.1667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA103

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed on approach resulting in the stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot said he was on final approach for landing when he allowed the airplane to get slow.  The airplane stalled less than 10 feet above the runway.  The airplane dropped, impacted on the runway, and went off the left side.  The right wing caught in the turf, the landing gear broke off, the airplane "cartwheeled," and then slid about 75 feet before coming to a stop.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said he was on final approach for landing when he allowed the airplane to get slow.  The airplane stalled less than 10 feet above the runway.  The airplane dropped, impacted on the runway, and went off the left side.  The right wing caught in the turf, the landing gear broke off, the airplane "cartwheeled," and then slid about 75 feet before coming to a stop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8078Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8078Y-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 30-1192, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1192
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kermit MacMillen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4BO, South Albany, NY
- Destination: FSO, Highgate, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 0; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,525 total, 900 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070622016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070622016049A), Jun 22, 2007: Piper PA30, Highgate, VT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot in command departed the south albany new york airport (4BO) at approximately 09:10 am on June 22, 2007, enroute to the Franklin County State…

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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