# NTSB ERA11CA171: Aerostar PA-60-601P, N444TT, Princeton, NJ, February 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 25, 2011, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Princeton, NJ - Coordinates: 40.398887, -74.658889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3989&lon=-74.6589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 21, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78471/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78471 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA171 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to stop the airplane resulting in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8360608), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=8360608), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8360608), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis Before he arrived in the vicinity of the destination airport, the pilot checked the wind at a nearby airport which was reported to be at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Additionally, the on-board global positioning system (GPS) receiver depicted the wind from 010 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot executed a GPS approach to runway 28; maintaining 120 knots with 20 degrees of flaps extended, and before landing noted the wind sock was not fully extended. He extended full flaps about 1 mile from the runway, and slowed to 100 knots, then crossed the threshold at 80 knots. The airplane touched down about 75 knots on the wet runway, and the pilot gently applied the brakes. He reported that he was unable to press the brakes hard as the airplane started hydroplaning approximately 1,000 feet before the end of the runway. Unable to stop, the airplane rolled past the departure end of the runway, where the nose landing gear traveled into a small depression causing it to twist. The forward pressure bulkhead was later found to be cracked. The pilot reported there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. The airport was equipped with an automated weather observing system (AWOS). A total of 12 observations were recorded for the approximate time of the accident. Review of the 12 observations indicated the wind was from 230 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative Before approach to the destination airport, the pilot checked the wind at a nearby airport which was reported to be at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Additionally, the on-board global positioning system (GPS) receiver depicted the wind from 010 degrees at 12 knots. He executed a GPS approach to runway 28, maintaining 120 knots with 20 degrees of flaps extended, and before landing noted the wind sock was not fully extended. He extended full flaps about 1 mile from the runway, and slowed to 100 knots, then crossed the threshold at 80 knots. The airplane touched down about 75 knots on the wet runway, and he "gently applied the [brakes] on touchdown. I was unable to do hard [braking]." The airplane started hydroplaning approximately 1,000 feet before the end of the runway. Unable to stop, the airplane rolled past the departure end of the runway, where the nose landing gear traveled into a small depression causing it to twist. The forward pressure bulkhead was later found to be cracked. The pilot reported there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. The airport is equipped with an automated weather observing system (AWOS). A total of 12 observations were recorded for the approximate time of the accident (1130 local, or 1630 UTC). Review of the 12 observations indicated the wind was from 230 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N444TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444TT-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 61P-0444-168 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-60-601P - Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P-0444-168 - Airframe hours: 2992 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 Series 290 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bravo Aviation, LLC - Registered owner: Bravo Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 2010 - Departed: PIB, Hattiesburg, MS - Destination: 39N, Princeton, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 39N, Princeton Airport, runway 28, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,364 total, 158 in this make and model, 1,292 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.30 inHg - Observed at: 39N ## 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 20110225002839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110225002839A), Feb 25, 2011: Smith AEROSTAR 60, Princeton, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot landed on a wet runway with additional speed due to crosswinds and departed the departure end of runway on centerline. Aircraft entered muddy overrun and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78471. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 572 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.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.