# NTSB ERA10CA265: Piper PA-24-260B, N9231P, Carrollton, GA, May 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 8, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Carrollton, GA - Coordinates: 33.631668, -85.152221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6317&lon=-85.1522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA265 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper touchdown point during landing. Contributing to the accident was the certificated flight instructor's lack of remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just purchased a share in the airplane and was receiving a checkout with a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. While practicing a landing with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed about 90 feet short of the runway pavement. As the airplane proceeded forward, the nosewheel struck the runway edge, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot initiated a go-around and, on the second landing attempt and with no nosewheel, the airplane skidded to a stop, substantially damaging the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the pilot the firewall damage was likely sustained as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. The pilot also noted that the majority of his flight experience has been in high-wing aircraft, where it is easier to see the main gear and runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot had just purchased a one-third share in the airplane, and was receiving a "checkout" with a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. While practicing a landing on runway 35 with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed 88 feet short of the runway pavement. As the airplane proceeded forward, the nose wheel struck the runway edge, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot initiated a go-around and on the second landing attempt, with no nose wheel, the airplane skidded to a stop, substantially damaging the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the pilot, "it is likely; the damage to the aircraft was sustained during the simulated engine out landing as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. A decision to execute our go around once we knew our simulated engine out landing was assured would have been advisable. Also, aiming for a landing point further down the runway as opposed to the end of the runway would have prevented this accident. Although I have logged a considerable amount of flying hours, the greatest majority of it has been in a Cessna 210 and other high wing aircraft where it is visually easy to see the main gear and runway. My lack of low wing aircraft time and visual landing perspective in these aircraft are most likely a factor as well." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9231P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9231P), registered now, S/N 24-4729, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260B - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 24-4729 - Airframe hours: 7192 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2009, 12 hours before - Departed: CTJ, Carrollton, GA - Destination: CTJ, Carrollton, GA - Airport: CTJ, West Georgia Regional Airport, runway 35, 5,503 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 3,157 total, 3 in this make and model, 3,052 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 3,153 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: CTJ ## 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 20100508055749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100508055749A), May 8, 2010: Piper PA-24-260, Carrollton, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot in command with 2.5 hours in make and model was receiving instruction from a certified flight instructor. During a simulated engine out approach to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76003. 485 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Record of Telephone Conversation. (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation.-Master.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.