# NTSB ERA12CA464: Piper PA32-301FT, N813TC, Brevard, NC, July 16, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2012, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Brevard, NC - Coordinates: 35.26889, -82.639724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2689&lon=-82.6397&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Charlotte FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA464 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84366/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84366 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA464 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to execute a go-around following an approach that was high and fast, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA32-301FT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7103300), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA32-301FT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7103300), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 PA32-301FT, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103300), [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 PA32-301FT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103300), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on final approach to land, the pilot noticed a tree that was located near the end of the runway. To avoid the tree, he “stayed high” until he cleared the approach end of the runway and then attempted to “drop quickly” to the field. The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear roughly 2,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 2,900-foot-long runway, and the pilot applied the brakes. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it overran the runway. The right main landing gear struck an airport sign, and the airplane came to rest in brambles 100 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. During the examination, no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation was discovered. During a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that, after the accident, he discovered that the tree he had attempted to avoid was actually located to the right of the runway. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on October 29, 2012. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** While on approach to a runway, the pilot of the airplane attempted to avoid a tree that was located near the end of the runway. To avoid the tree, he “stayed high” until he cleared the approach end of the runway and then attempted to “drop quickly” to the field. The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear roughly 2,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 2,900-foot long runway, and the pilot applied the brakes. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it overran the runway. The right main landing gear struck an airport sign, and the airplane came to rest in brambles 100 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. During the examination, no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were discovered. During a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that after the accident, he discovered that the tree he had attempted to avoid was actually located to the right of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N813TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N813TC-2014-10-07), registration cancelled 2014-10-07, S/N 3232045, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-301FT - Registry model: [Piper PA32-301FT](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa32-301ft) (registry code 7103300) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-k1g5d) (registry code 41598, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3232045 - Airframe hours: 906 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Garrett John C - Registered owner: Garrett John C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2012 - Departed: KLYH, Lynchburg, VA - Destination: 3NR3, Brevard, NC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 3NR3, Transylvania County Airport, runway 09, 2,903 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 17, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 715 in this make and model, 860 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 336° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KAVL, 11 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 20120716015199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120716015199A), Jul 16, 2012: Piper PA32-301FT, Pisgah Forest, NC, Substantial damage. During landing on runway 09, the pilot elected to maintain a high approach and high speed due to trees off the approach end of runway 09. The aircraft touched… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84366. 10.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 864 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary and Statement (item 2, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary%20and%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Interview Summary and Statement (item 3, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Interview%20Summary%20and%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandums for Record (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandums%20for%20Record%20(FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Brevard (AVL) Meteorological Observations (item 6, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Brevard%20(AVL)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Photograph of Main Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Photograph%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Photograph of Firewall (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Photograph%20of%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Photogroph of Runway Skid Marks (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Photogroph%20of%20Runway%20Skid%20Marks%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - October 29, 2012 Revisions to Factual Report (item 10, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=October%2029,%202012%20Revisions%20to%20Factual%20Report-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.