- Date
- October 14, 2013, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place
- Newport, NH
- Injuries
- 4 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N5873WPiper PA 28-150
- Defining event
- Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 4, 2014
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FSDO/FAA
- FAA report
- 20131014024129I
- Case key
- 88388
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's incorrect glide path, which resulted in a landing area overshoot and a runway excursion.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
According to the pilot, he learned that runway 36 at destination airport was closed and proceeded with his departure. After an uneventful flight, while making radio calls to the destination airport, the airport manager reported that runway 30 was open and provided its length, 1,700 feet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for the runway and configured the airplane for a short approach. Anticipating an uphill landing, the pilot misjudged the beginning of runway 30 as it was lower in elevation than he expected. He remarked that he was high and fast on the final approach leg and could not perform a go-around due to tall trees at the end of the runway. After the airplane touched down, the pilot applied brakes; however, the airplane slid across the grass strip. He then guided the airplane to the right to avoid trees, but the airplane continued until the left wing impacted a tree and came to rest. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, he learned that runway 36 at destination airport was closed and proceeded with his departure. After an uneventful flight, while making radio calls to the destination airport, the airport manager reported that runway 30 was open and provided its length, 1,700 feet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for the runway and configured the airplane for a short approach. Anticipating an uphill landing, the pilot misjudged the beginning of runway 30 as it was lower in elevation than he expected. He remarked that he was high and fast on the final approach leg and could not perform a go-around due to tall trees at the end of the runway. After the airplane touched down, the pilot applied brakes; however, the airplane slid across the grass strip. He then guided the airplane to the right to avoid trees, but the airplane continued until the left wing impacted a tree and came to rest. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5873W
- Reported as
- Piper PA 28-150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-2503
- Built
- 1965
- Airframe hours
- 3,165
- Engine
- Lycoming 0-320 SERIES, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Bret Lukezic
- Registered owner
- Bret Lukezic
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 3, 2013 · 5 hours before
- Departed
- 7B2 · Northhampton, MA
- Destination
- 2B3 · Newport, NH
- Airport
- 2B3 · Parlin Field, runway 30, 2,140 × 80 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment
- Stall warning system
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- August 18, 2013
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 817 total · 678 in this make and model · 817 as pilot in command · 7 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 4,200 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.21 inHg
- Observed at
- LEB, 15 nm away
Docket · 5
The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 9.1 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N5873W · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.