# NTSB ERA12LA557: Piper PA-31-325, N3591P, Washington, PA, September 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2012, 07:10 local (11:10 UTC) - Place: Washington, PA - Coordinates: 40.13639, -80.290275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1364&lon=-80.2903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA557 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA557 ## Probable cause The airplane’s encounter with a flock of geese during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s hard impact with the runway while the pilot maneuvered in an attempt to avoid the geese. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-325, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103105), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-325, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7103105), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-325, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7103105), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-325, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7103105), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-325, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103105), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway, the pilots observed a flock of geese approaching from the right. The pilot-in-command believed that the birds would impact the cockpit windows, so he pushed forward on the control yoke to descend and avoid such a collision. The airplane struck the runway hard and bounced back into the air. The pilots continued the takeoff and returned to the airport for an uneventful landing. Postaccident examination revealed structural damage to the airframe. Also, bird remains were found on the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2012, about 0710 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-325, N3591P, was substantially damaged during an abnormal contact with the runway after takeoff from runway 27 at Washington County Airport, Washington, Pennsylvania. The airline transport-rated pilot, co-pilot, and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Aeronational Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an air medical flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that, shortly after lifting off the runway, a flock of geese was approaching from the right side of the airplane. He felt that the birds could have impacted the cockpit windows, so he pushed the yoke forward to avoid a collision. The landing gear contacted the runway "very hard" and the airplane bounced back into the air. Unable to abort the takeoff due insufficient runway remaining, he continued with the takeoff. The pilot remained in the traffic pattern and landed the airplane without further incident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the airplane. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the airframe. Bird remains were also found on the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3591P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3591P-2018-10-18), registration cancelled 2018-10-18, S/N 31-8012081, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-8012081 - Airframe hours: 15131 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Aeronational Inc - Registered owner: Aeronational Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 2012, 13 hours before - Departed: AFJ, Washington, PA - Destination: BGR, Bangor, ME - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: AFJ, Washington County Airport, runway 27, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 40; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 3,400 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: AFJ, 2 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 20120909026619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120909026619A), Sep 9, 2012: Piper PA-31-325, Washington, PA, Substantial damage. N3591P encountered a flock of four geese immediately after rotation. Pilot descended the aircraft while attempting to avoid the geese and contacted the runway… ## Other investigations on N3591P (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 ERA16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA215), Jun 16, 2016: Piper PA31 (N3591P), State College, PA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to continue an unstabilized instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84997. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-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.