# NTSB ERA11CA271: Piper PA-28-181, N984D, Millbrook, NY, April 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2011, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Millbrook, NY - Coordinates: 41.7, -73.747222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7000&lon=-73.7472&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Teterboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78996/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78996 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA271 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the pilot’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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-28-181, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot, who was not a flight instructor, allowed the student pilot to fly the airplane from the left front seat after the student pilot purchased the airplane. The student pilot and the private pilot departed and then landed at an intermediate airport. They returned to the airplane, conducted a thorough preflight inspection and departed to their destination airport. While landing at the destination airport, the student pilot applied uneven brakes and the airplane veered to the left, striking the runway lights. The private pilot also applied brakes and informed the student pilot to reduce the power. The student pilot then added full power and the airplane departed the left side of the runway before colliding with a tree. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing. The private pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The private pilot, who was not a flight instructor, allowed the student pilot to fly the airplane from the left front seat, after the student pilot purchased the airplane. The student pilot and the private pilot departed and landed at an intermediate airport. They returned to the airplane, conducted a thorough preflight inspection and departed to their destination airport. While landing at the destination airport, the student pilot applied uneven brakes and the airplane veered to the left, striking the runway lights. The private pilot also applied brakes and informed the student pilot to "power back." The student pilot then added full power, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and collided with a tree. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing. The private pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N984D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N984D-2012-11-05), registration cancelled 2012-11-05, S/N 2843257, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843257 - Airframe hours: 1333 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William G. Faulkner - Registered owner: Ramsawak Jai - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2010, 46 hours before - Departed: 1B1, Hudson, NY - Destination: 44N, Millbrook, NY - Airport: 44N, Sky Acres Airport, runway 35, 3,830 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 656 total, 643 in this make and model, 453 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: POU, 8 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 20110430012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110430012179A), Apr 30, 2011: Piper PA-28-181, Lagrangeville, NY, Substantial damage. 04/30/2011 At 1720 local time the 656 hour private pilot rated PIC, occupying the right front seat, allowed the student pilot, occupying the left seat to land… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78996. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - RECORD OF CONVERSATIO1Faulkner (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20CONVERSATIO1Faulkner-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Front View of airplane. Photo FAA (item 3, .PDF, 615 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Front%20View%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Left side view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 4, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%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.