# NTSB ERA16CA211: Piper PA-28, N9297J, Williamsburg, VA, June 10, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2016, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Williamsburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.239166, -76.71611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2392&lon=-76.7161&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93362/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93362
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA211

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing aerodynamic stall.

## 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-28-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the approach to land the airplane was left of the extended runway centerline on short final approach, and he decided to go-around. When he added engine power, the airplane veered to the left, pitched up, and stalled. The airplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the approach to land the airplane was left of the extended runway centerline on short final approach, and he decided to go-around. When he added engine power, the airplane veered to the left, pitched up, and stalled. The airplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9297J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9297J-2018-12-20), registration cancelled 2018-12-20, S/N 28-3387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3387
- Airframe hours: 4200
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2016, 70 hours before
- Departed: OXB, Ocean City, MD
- Destination: JGG, Williamsburg, VA
- Airport: JGG, Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport, runway 31, 3,204 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 200 total, 70 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: JGG

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93362. 7.1 MB in all.

- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record (NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form) (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20(NTSB%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report%20Form)-Master.PDF
- Pilot Logbook Endorsements (item 3, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Endorsements-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.

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