# NTSB ERA20CA251: Piper PA 22, N1520P, Fuquay Varina, NC, July 14, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2020, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Fuquay Varina, NC - Coordinates: 35.543609, -78.750831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5436&lon=-78.7508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain a proper approach speed, which resulted in an overrun of the wet grass runway. ## 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-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102202), [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-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/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-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102202), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot approached the destination airport for landing, he felt that the elevator trim was not working properly. He elected to return to the 2,780-ft-long grass runway at his home airport. While approaching the airport he continued his attempts to adjust the pitch trim, to no avail. He further reported that even after his attempts to adjust the elevator trim, it felt as if there was too much nose down trim, as he had to maintain back pressure on the yoke to keep the wings level. As the approach continued, he felt that he could not slow the airplane down or descend enough and entered a slip. The airplane landed “long and fast,” and the brakes were not effective due to the damp grass. The airplane departed the end of the runway and the right wing was substantially damaged after it impacted a tree. After the accident, the pilot stated that he adjusted the elevator trim and the system seemed to work properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1520P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1520P-2021-01-28), registration cancelled 2021-01-28, S/N 22-2385, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 22 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-2385 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3321 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2020 - Departed: 78NC, Fuquay Varina, NC - Destination: 78NC, Fuquay Varina, NC - Airport: 78NC, Fuquay/Angier Field, runway 14, 2,780 × 90 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 532 total, 139 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KHRJ, 10 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 20200714004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200714004609A), Jul 14, 2020: Piper PA-22, Fuquay Varina, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot landed long and fast. Dew on the grass was a contributing factor affecting braking. The right wing struck a tree off of the runway causing… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101607. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10000421&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB_6120.1v1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9999738&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9998131&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.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.