# NTSB ERA24LA132: Piper PA-28RT-201, N3023K, Allentown, PA, March 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 8, 2024, 09:46 local (14:46 UTC) - Place: Allentown, PA · Runway 6 - Coordinates: 40.652363, -75.440406 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6524&lon=-75.4404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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): 193899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193899/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193899 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing and collision with a runway edge light. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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-28RT-201, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on short final approach for landing when he encountered a windshear. The airplane started to sink toward the runway. He added power; however, it was too late due to his altitude. Upon touchdown, the airplane landed hard, breaking two runway threshold lights from their mounts . An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airport surface weather observations revealed no reports of wind gusts or variable wind before or after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3023K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3023K), registered now, S/N 28R-7918022, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7918022 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5815 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 2024, 3 hours before - Departed: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: ABE, Lehigh Valley International, runway 6, 7,599 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 915 total, 96 in this make and model, 736 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KABE - METAR: KABE 081451Z 08010KT 10SM CLR 07/M01 A3030 RMK AO2 SLP264 T00721006 50009 ## 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 20240308002149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240308002149A), Mar 8, 2024: Piper PA-28RT-201, Allentown, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot mismanged his power on approach, landed short of runway 6, struck several lights, and resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Other investigations on N3023K (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX02LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA054), Dec 24, 2001: Piper PA-28RT-201 (N3023K), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate removal of snow and ice from the surfaces of the airplane before takeoff. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193899. 3.4 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=16845761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum of record - abe weather (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16845378&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20MOR%20-%20ABE%20Weather-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16851159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.