# NTSB ERA24LA177: Piper PA-24-250, N6465P, Carrabassett, ME, April 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 8, 2024, 11:19 local (15:19 UTC) - Place: Carrabassett, ME · On Airport - Coordinates: 45.08532, -70.216323 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0853&lon=-70.2163&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - 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): 194083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194083/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194083 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA177 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point while landing in gusty wind conditions. ## 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-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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-24-250, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102404), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was attempting to land in gusty wind conditions in mountainous terrain. On short final approach, the airplane entered a rapid descent. The pilot attempted to go-around by applying full power. The airplane continued to descend and touched down short of the runway, after which the landing gear collapsed. The airplane traveled about 150 ft down the runway before coming to a stop resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage structure. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6465P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6465P), registered now, S/N 24-1580, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1580 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 7051.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Six Five Papa Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2023, 11.3 hours before - Departed: KASH, Nashua, NH - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: B21, Sugarloaf Rgnl, runway 17/35, 2,797 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,151 total, 720 in this make and model, 1,030 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: B21 ## 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 20240408004179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240408004179A), Apr 8, 2024: Piper PA-24-250, Carrabassett Va, ME, Substantial damage. On 4/8/24 at about 1130 hours local time a PA24 single engine airplane, experienced a hard landing short of runway 35 and was substantially damaged. There were… ## Other investigations on N6465P (2) 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 NYC78FNC26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FNC26), May 14, 1978: Piper PA-24 (N6465P), Barnstead, NH, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC71DFJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DFJ15), Oct 2, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N6465P), Weedsport, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194083. 10.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 9.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17042785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Invesitgation photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17105674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Invetigation%20Photos%20(Final)-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.