# NTSB FTW96LA165: Piper PA-24-250, N6882P, Bellville, TX, April 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Bellville, TX - Coordinates: 29.939249, -96.249305 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9392&lon=-96.2493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19799/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA165 ## Probable cause the pilot's excessive approach/landing airspeed and his failure to perform a go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis During a previous attempted landing, the pilot executed a go-around due to a high approach/landing airspeed. During the second landing, the aircraft touched down about halfway down the 2,480-foot runway with no flaps extended and overran the runway. The pilot reported that during his second approach, he landed 'to fast, but thought [he] had adequate stopping distance.' He 'cut power, applied full brakes, [and] skidded off [the] south end of [the] runway into a fence.' The aircraft came to a stop off the departure end of the runway down a 5-foot embankment. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6882P, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Grawunder Airport, Bellville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Houston, Texas, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that, during his first attempted landing to runway 15, he did a go-around due to being too fast. During the second attempted landing, the aircraft touched down about halfway down the 2,480 foot runway with no flaps extended. The pilot further reported that he was unable to stop the aircraft prior to overrunning the runway. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report that, during his second approach, he landed "to fast, but thought [he] had adequate stopping distance." The pilot "cut power, applied full brakes, [and] skidded off [the] south end of [the] runway into a fence." Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed three tire marks leading to the point where the aircraft departed the runway. The aircraft came to a stop off the right end of the runway down a five foot embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed all three landing gear were folded under, the left wing spar was fractured, and the lower portion of the firewall and left horizontal stabilizer were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6882P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6882P), registered now, S/N 24-2018, built 1960 (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: 2018 - Airframe hours: 3867 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles W. Spruell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1996, 94 hours before - Departed: AAP, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: 06R - Airport: 06R, Grawunder, runway 15, 2,480 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,125 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19960407006209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960407006209A), Apr 7, 1996: Piper PA24250, Bellville, TX, Substantial damage. Too high first try at private strip. On second try landed long. Skidded off end. Folded gear. Broke wing spar. (-23) pilot landed fast and with no flaps half… 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.