# NTSB ERA09CA104: Piper PA-34-200T, N34LM, Tallahasee, FL, October 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2008, 13:29 local (17:29 UTC) - Place: Tallahasee, FL - Coordinates: 30.396389, -84.35028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3964&lon=-84.3503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73126/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after touchdown. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds. ## 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-34-200T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103406), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7103406), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane stated that he was flying the global-positioning-system approach for runway 9, when the active runway was changed to runway 27. He then flew the instrument-landing-system approach for runway 27, using left crosswind correction. After touchdown, while on centerline, a microburst "lifted the airplane in the air and slammed it down," compressing the nose strut and resulting in a subsequent propeller strike. Approximately 35 minutes before the accident, the winds were reported from 130 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. No microburst or windshear activity was reported by the control tower at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report the accident until he tried to obtain a ferry permit about 2 months later. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Piper PA-34-200T stated that he was flying the global positioning system (GPS) approach for runway 9, when the active runway was changed to runway 27. He then flew the instrument landing system (ILS) approach for runway 27, using left crosswind correction. After touchdown, while on centerline, a microburst "lifted the airplane in the air and slammed it down," compressing the nose strut and resulting in a subsequent propeller strike. Approximately 35 minutes before the accident, the winds were reported from 130 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. No microburst or wind shear activity was reported by the control tower at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report the accident until he tried to obtain a ferry permit about 2 months later. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34LM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34LM), registered now, S/N 34-7770133 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7770133 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lima Mike LLC - Registered owner: Lima Mike LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HWO, Pembroke Pines, FL - Destination: KTLH, Tallahasee, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TLH, Tallahasse Regional Airport, runway 27, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 11,575 total, 358 in this make and model, 11,076 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: TLH 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.