# NTSB ERA23LA062: Piper PA32, N81PW, Perry, GA, November 14, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 14, 2022, 08:47, time zone not recorded - Place: Perry, GA - Coordinates: 32.510583, -83.767333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5106&lon=-83.7673&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 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/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106304/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106304 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during touchdown in a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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-32-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-32-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103207), [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-32-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew an instrument approach to a 4,999-ft-long, 100-ft-wide, asphalt runway. He flared at 78 kts and the airplane touched down on centerline. After touchdown, he applied brakes and the airplane veered left. He pressed harder on the right brake pedal, but the plane did not react, so he applied full right pedal but he did not observe any response. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and continued skidding through grass. It subsequently struck a small embankment at the edge of a cotton field, where it came to rest upright. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing, nose landing gear, and firewall. His examination, which also included observing the airplane’s left main wheel was free to rotate and that the tire did not show any abnormal wear, did otherwise note evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The wind recorded at the airport, about the time of the accident, indicated a left crosswind to tailwind at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81PW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81PW), registered now, S/N 32-8106002, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (301) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8106002 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 3900 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2022, 152 hours before - Departed: LRO, Mount Pleasant, SC - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PXE, Perry-Houston County Airport, runway 18, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 239 total, 174 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KPXE - METAR: METAR KPXE 141355Z AUTO 07009KT 10SM CLR 05/M01 A3029 ## 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 20221114022579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221114022579A), Nov 14, 2022: Piper PA-32-301, Perry, GA, Substantial damage. On November 14th 2022, at approximately 0850 eastern standard time, [privacy data omitted], a 1980 Piper PA-32-301, s/n 32-8106002, sustained substantial… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106304. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14764799&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14773691&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14765349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - ADS-B plot (courtesy of airport manager) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 858 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14765163&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Apt%20Mgr%20ADS-B%20Plot-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 445 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14773570&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.