# NTSB ERA11CA040: Piper PA-28-151, N44078, Julian, NC, October 28, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 28, 2010, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Julian, NC - Coordinates: 35.9225, -79.623054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9225&lon=-79.6231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FADO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77684/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77684 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. ## 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-28-151, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he departed on the personal flight for the purpose of having an annual inspection performed on his airplane at the destination airport. While approaching the airport, he observed the windsock indicating the wind was from the south, and chose the appropriate runway. The pilot planned his approach to clear the fence at the end of the runway and still have enough distance for the roll out on the grass runway. Knowing that the terrain sloped upward from the fence to the runway threshold, he aimed to touchdown on the crest of the hill. As the airplane approached the runway, the pilot added power to compensate for a fast rate of decent, then reduced power when he felt he had was aligned appropriately. The airplane touched down about half way up the slope and the nose gear collapsed; the airplane came to rest at the top of the slope. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he departed on the personal flight for the purpose of having an annual inspection performed on his airplane at the destination airport. While approaching the airport, he observed the windsock indicating the wind was from the south, and he planned to land on runway 23. The pilot stated that he planned his approach to clear the fence at the end of the runway and still have enough room to stop on the 1,400-foot grass runway. He also stated that he knew that the terrain sloped upwards from the fence to the runway threshold, and that he "was aiming for the crest of the hill." As the airplane approached the runway, the pilot first added power to compensate for a "fast rate of decent," then reduced power when he felt he had the runway made. However, "the rise was greater than I thought, and the airspeed was lower than I thought." The airplane touched down about half way up the slope, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest at the top of the slope. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44078](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44078-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 28-7415577, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415577 - Airframe hours: 3172 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2009 - Departed: LQK, Liberty, SC - Destination: N88, Julian, NC - Airport: N88, Kecks Airport, runway 23, 1,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 835 in this make and model, 767 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: BUY, 10 nm away ## 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 20101028050999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101028050999A), Oct 28, 2010: Piper PA-28-151, Julian, NC, Substantial damage. Mr. David r. white was pilot in command of a Piper PA-28-15 aircraft,registration number N44078, that was involved in an accident at Kecks Airport (N88) near… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77684. 898 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 640 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339028&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record-Email from FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Email%20from%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane At Rest (courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339029&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 : Firewall damage (courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%3A%20Firewall%20damage%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.