# NTSB ERA20CA099: Piper PA28, N7047W, Naples, FL, January 30, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 30, 2020, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Naples, FL - Coordinates: 26.1525, -81.775558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1525&lon=-81.7756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100937 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100937/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100937 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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, while landing, the airplane bounced slightly and drifted left of centerline. He overcorrected to the right with the rudder, and when the airplane touched down again, the nosewheel was angled to the right. The airplane then exited the runway onto adjacent grass, and the right wing impacted a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane had a "slight bounce", became airborne again, and drifted left of centerline. He overcorrected to the right with the rudder, and when the plane touched down a second time, the nose wheel was angled to the right and the airplane exited the runway onto the adjacent grass where the right wing impacted a taxiway sign.The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7047W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7047W), registered now, S/N 28-793, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-793 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 2525 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Apflight Llc - Registered owner: Apflight Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 3, 2019 - Departed: X06, Arcadia, FL - Destination: APF, Naples, FL - Airport: APF, Naples Muni, runway 05, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 188 total, 122 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KAPF ## 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 20200130001649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200130001649A), Jan 30, 2020: Piper PA-28-180, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed runway 05, lost control, veered sharply to the right. Aircraft exited the runway and struck a taxiway directional sign at A2 with the right… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100937. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 3, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.