# NTSB ERA22LA393: Piper PA-28R-180, N3768T, Bennington, VT, August 29, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 29, 2022, 17:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Bennington, VT · Approach end of runway 13 - Coordinates: 42.89389, -73.25 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8939&lon=-73.2500&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: 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): 105836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA393 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105836/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105836 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA393 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and collision with terrain. ## 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-28R-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102809), [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-28R-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102809), [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-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on approach for landing with variable wind conditions; however, METAR data showed there was a crosswind at the time of the accident. He further stated that he “flared early, got slow, attempted a go around and ended up in a full power stall.” The airplane collided with terrain near the approach end of the runway. Airport surveillance video supports the pilot’s account of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage reported that there was substantial damage to the forward fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3768T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3768T), registered now, S/N 28R-30080, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30080 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 7192 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2022, 2 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DDH, Morse State Airport, runway 13, 3,704 × 74 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 31, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 463 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KDDH - METAR: METAR KDDH 292054Z AUTO 22006KT 10SM SCT060 32/18 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP147 T03170183 56021 ## 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 20220829015489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220829015489A), Aug 29, 2022: Piper PA-28R-180, Bennington, VT, Destroyed. On August 29, 2022,[privacy data omitted] went flying in his newly purchased Piper arrow, PA-28-180, [privacy data omitted]. He flew for approximately 2.5… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105836. 96.1 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=14554743&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14554287&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20A%20LoFranco-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14554297&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Airport surveillance video (item 4, AVI, 92.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14554763&FileExtension=avi&FileName=5%20Airport%20Surveillance%20Video-Rel.avi 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.