# NTSB ERA16CA218: Piper PA32, N44255, Block Island, RI, June 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2016, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Block Island, RI - Coordinates: 41.167778, -71.58361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1678&lon=-71.5836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA218 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the airplane’s subsequent collision with obstacles during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/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-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while on final approach to land on a 2,502-ft-long, asphalt runway, he observed another airplane back-taxiing on the runway and then depart. He continued the approach, performed a "normal" full-flaps landing, and the airplane touched down about midfield. During the rollout, he determined that there was insufficient runway remaining to stop and chose to attempt a go-around. The airplane subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and then a roadway guard rail before it impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that the accident might have been prevented by aborting the landing earlier. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while on final approach to land on a 2,502-foot-long, asphalt runway, he observed another airplane back-taxiing on the runway and then depart. He continued the approach, performed a "normal" full flaps landing, and the airplane touched down about midfield. During the rollout, he determined that there was insufficient runway remaining to stop, and chose to attempt a go-around. The airplane subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and then a roadway guard rail before it impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot further reported he did not experience any pre-accident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that the accident might have been prevented by aborting the landing earlier. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44255](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44255-2017-11-01), registration cancelled 2017-11-01, S/N 32-7400048, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7400048 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HVN, NEW HAVEN, CT - Destination: BID, Block Island, RI - Airport: BID, Block Island State, runway 28, 2,502 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 455 total, 200 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: BID, 1 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 20160619024369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160619024369A), Jun 19, 2016: Piper PA-32-260, New Shoreham, RI, Destroyed. The aircraft departed khvn airport with the pilot and five additional passengers. The flight was being operated CFR part 91 as a personal flight. Upon arrival… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93407. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 5 photos, 953 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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. --- 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.