# NTSB ERA09CA134: Piper PA-32R-300, N7918C, Manteo, NC, January 13, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 13, 2009, 17:34 local (22:34 UTC) - Place: Manteo, NC - Coordinates: 35.911945, -75.691947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9119&lon=-75.6919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-circling (IFR): Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73232 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73232/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the missed approach procedure while landing with a low ceiling. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-circling (IFR): Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-circling (IFR): Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a global-positioning-system approach at his destination airport, the pilot was unable to see the runway at the missed approach point until he had just retracted the landing gear to go-around and circle to land. He lined up with the runway too low and struck trees. The airplane came to rest on the porch roof of a residence. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings, fuselage, and empennage had sustained substantial damage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were discovered. The airport elevation was 14 feet mean sea level (msl). The required ceiling for a straight in approach was 440 feet msl. The required ceiling for a circling approach was 600 feet msl. The ceiling at the time of the accident was 300 feet above ground level. ## Factual narrative During a GPS approach at his destination airport, the pilot of a Piper PA-32R-300 was unable to "see the runway" at the missed approach point and then suddenly, the "runway was right there." The pilot however, had just retracted the landing gear to "go miss," so he decided to circle to land. He lined up with the runway but "got too low," and struck trees. The airplane came to rest on the porch roof of a residence. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings, fuselage, and empennage had sustained substantial damage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were discovered. The airport elevation was 14 feet above sea level (msl). The required ceiling for a straight in approach was 440 feet msl. The required ceiling for a circling approach was 600 feet msl. The ceiling at the time of the accident was 300 feet above ground level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7918C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7918C-2009-10-13), registration cancelled 2009-10-13, S/N 32R-7680067, built 1975 (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: 32R-7680067 - Airframe hours: 4101 - Engines: LYCOMING I0-540-K1A5D 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 2008 - Departed: EQY, Monroe, NC - Destination: MQI, Manteo, NC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MQI, Dare County Regional Airport, runway 23, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 491 total, 359 in this make and model, 392 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: MQI ## 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 20090113001929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090113001929A), Jan 13, 2009: Piper PA32R300, Manteo, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft N7918C (complex se Piper lance) was cleared for GPS rwy 23 approach into Manteo, NC (mqi) by ATC at 2240Z. AWOS indicated wind 360DEG. @ 9KTS, vis.… 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.