# NTSB ERA25LA025: Piper PA28, N926MK, Fairmont, WV, October 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 27, 2024, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, WV - Coordinates: 39.44818, -80.16749 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4482&lon=-80.1675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195387/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195387 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA025 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control. ## 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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that after a successful first landing, he attempted a second landing but initiated a go-around due to the airplane being high on final approach. On the second attempt, he noted that the wind velocity had increased. During the landing, the airplane bounced and was pushed to the left. Despite corrective inputs, the airplane veered off the runway, impacted a guardrail, and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On October 27, 2024, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N926MK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairmont, West Virginia. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot reported that he departed with light winds and completed a series of maneuvers before successfully landing. During the next takeoff and landing, the pilot attempted a landing but initiated a go-around due to the airplane being high on final approach. On the second landing attempt, the pilot noted that the "winds picked up." During this landing, the airplane bounced, was "pushed" to the left, and despite corrective inputs the airplane veered off the runway, impacted a guardrail, and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A FAA inspector responded to the accident site, examined the wreckage, and confirmed substantial damage to the airplane’s left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N926MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N926MK), registered now, S/N 28-7125138, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125138 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 3782 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2024, 8 hours before - Airport: 4G7, Fairmont Municipal Airport-Frankman Fld., runway 5, 2,965 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 26, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 54 total, 3 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: CKB, 9 nm away - METAR: KCKB 271553Z 34004KT 10SM CLR 12/02 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP293 T01220017 ## 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 20241027016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241027016439A), Oct 27, 2024: Piper PA-28-140, Fairmont, WV, Substantial damage. Student pilot was endorsed for solo flight from CFI. Third flight of the day the student pilot on touch down encountered a wind gust resulting in a loss of… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195387. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18409135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA025_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18409694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Colton%20toothman%2010%2027%202024%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18408736&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20LA025-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 681 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18409704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA025-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.