# NTSB ERA11CA402: Piper PA-28-161, N18PE, Crystal River, FL, July 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2011, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Crystal River, FL - Coordinates: 28.867776, -82.57389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8678&lon=-82.5739&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 December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81125/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81125 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA402 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his improper decision to perform a go-around with a tailwind and insufficient runway remaining. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102803), [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 roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the approach to the runway was normal, but the airplane touched down further down the runway than he expected. He added power to take off but did not have enough airspeed and runway remaining; he subsequently reduced the engine power and applied the brakes. The airplane exited the end of the runway and impacted a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and both left and right wings. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. He stated that after the accident he looked at the windsock and there was a strong tailwind. ## Factual narrative The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight to an unfamiliar airport. He stated that as he neared the airport, he obtained information from the airport's automated weather observation system, which reported calm wind. The pilot selected runway 09, and conducted an approach to the runway in order to perform a touch and go landing. However, the pilot stated the airplane was not in a position to land, and subsequently performed a go-around. The pilot stated that the second approach was normal, but the airplane touched down on the runway further from the intended point of landing than he expected. He added power to take off, but could not become airborne within the remaining runway. The pilot reduced engine power and applied brakes, but the airplane traveled off the end of the runway and impacted a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and both left and right wings. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane and that, after the accident, the airport windsock indicated a tailwind condition. Recorded weather at the airport about the time of the accident included wind from 310 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18PE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18PE-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 28-7816340, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816340 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tailwheels Etc - Registered owner: Skyway Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: CGC, Crystal River, FL - Airport: CGC, Crystal River Airport, runway 09, 4,555 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 22, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 7 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: CGC ## 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 20110715015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110715015479A), Jul 15, 2011: Piper PA-28-161, Crystal River, FL, Substantial damage. PIC was unable to obtain "active runway" from the UNICOM. Based on AWOS winds, he choose runway 09 for landing. He entered a left downwind and reported a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81125. 789 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%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.