# NTSB ERA11CA452: Piper PA-28-236, N4341M, Front Royal, VA, August 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2011, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Front Royal, VA - Coordinates: 38.917499, -78.251945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9175&lon=-78.2519&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA452 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA452 ## 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: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/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-28-236, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102815), [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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was overflying the airport but had to land quickly for personal reasons. He circled north of the airport and performed a straight-in, stabilized approach to the runway. He reduced the power as he crossed the runway threshold and landed. According to a witness, the airplane landed about halfway down the runway and was traveling very fast. The witness stated that the brakes were applied, and the airplane swerved, overran the runway, and departed the right side of the runway. The airplane traveled down an embankment and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was overflying the airport when he had a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. He circled north of the airport and performed a straight-in, stabilized approach to the runway with 25 degrees of flaps. The pilot reduced the power as he crossed the runway threshold and made a normal landing. According to a witness, the airplane landed approximately halfway down the runway and was traveling very fast. The witness stated that the brakes were applied, the airplane swerved, and then it departed the right side of the runway. The airplane traveled down an embankment and came to rest in a ditch resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4341M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4341M-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 28-8411010, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8411010 - Airframe hours: 1785 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Av-Ed Flight School - Registered owner: Isles Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GWW, Goldsboro, NC - Destination: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Airport: FRR, Front Royal-Warren County Airp, runway 10, 3,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 39 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: OKV, 14 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 20110814030379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110814030379A), Aug 14, 2011: Piper PA-28-236, Front Royal, VA, Substantial damage. Witnesses saw accident aircraft land halfway down the runway (runway length is 3,000'). Pilot attempted heavy braking but left right side of runway near the… ## Other investigations on N4341M (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX97LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA111), Feb 24, 1997: Piper PA-28-236 (N4341M), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise and subsequent overload failure of the nose gear. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81474. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - OKV Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=OKV%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Aft View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 902 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Aft%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Side View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Side%20View%20of%20Wreckage%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.