# NTSB ERA21LA370: Piper PA-22-150, N9639D, Walnut Cove, NC, September 19, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 19, 2021, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Walnut Cove, NC - Coordinates: 36.301526, -80.148379 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3015&lon=-80.1484&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103908/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103908 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA370 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point which resulted in a runway overrun, collision with an airport boundary fence, and a nose over event. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [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-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after touch down, the airplane overran the runway, passed thru the airport boundary fence, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. A post-accident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9639D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9639D), registered now, S/N 22-6552, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6552 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 2929.8 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vestal James L - Registered owner: Vestal James L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2021 - Departed: 2A5, Liberty, NC - Airport: N63, Meadow Brook Fld, runway 16, 2,725 × 32 ft - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 620 total, 620 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: INT, 11 nm away - METAR: KINT 192254Z 18006KT 10SM CLR 28/17 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP189 T02830172 ## 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 20210919016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210919016219A), Sep 19, 2021: Piper PA-22-150, Walnut Cove, NC, Substantial damage. N9639D was attempting a landing at N63, Meadow Brook Airport in Walnut Cove, NC. The aircraft ran off the end of runway 16, went partially through an electric… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103908. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 memo for record (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12862670&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Rel.pdf - State highway patrol memorandum for record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12863021&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Trooper%20John%20Mastromonica-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12863107&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20James%20Vestal-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement wreckage exam and interview summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12862874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20Steele_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12862200&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20370-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.