# NTSB ERA14CA438: Piper PA 28-161, N2149F, Block Island, RI, August 10, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2014, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Block Island, RI
- Coordinates: 41.168056, -71.577774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1681&lon=-71.5778&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA438
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90076/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90076
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA438

## Probable cause

A loss of control during the attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach for landing when he observed that another airplane on the runway was not exiting the runway as quickly as he expected. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot elected to abort the landing. During the subsequent attempted go-around, the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, rudder, and horizontal stabilator. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies, and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed control continuity from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces during postaccident examination.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach for landing when he observed that another airplane on the runway was not exiting the runway as quickly as he expected. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot elected to abort the landing. During the subsequent attempted go-around, the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, rudder, and horizontal stabilator. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies, and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed control continuity from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces during postaccident examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2149F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2149F-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 28-7916185, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-161 (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: 28-7916185
- Year built: 1978
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Danic Electric Corp
- Registered owner: Danic Electric Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DXR, Danbury, CT
- Destination: BID, Block Island, RI
- Airport: BID, Block Island State Airport, runway 10, 2,502 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 2,122 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KBID

## 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 20140810015719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140810015719A), Aug 10, 2014: Piper PA-28-161, Block Island, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot of N2149F was attempting to land at Block Island Airport, RI. Pilot landed long. When the pilot realized that he was unable to stop the aircraft he…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90076. 6.8 MB in all.

- Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419626&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Empennage Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Empennage%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Fuselage and Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Fuselage%20and%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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