# NTSB GAA15CA190: Piper PA 32-300, N96ML, Greensboro, NC, July 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2015, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Greensboro, NC - Coordinates: 36.17361, -79.803054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1736&lon=-79.8031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91595/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91595 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the approach after realizing the intended parameters were not attainable, resulting in a runway over-shoot, a loss of control on the ground and the consequent collision with trees. ## 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-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after initiating a go-around on the previous approach, "I made a second attempt and was set up for the asphalt runway but was pushed off slightly so I adjusted for the grass strip." He stated that during the landing flare, the airplane "floated" and "by the time I touched I was going too slow to abort or do a missed approach", and the airplane ran off the end of the runway. The airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after initiating a go-around on the previous approach, "I made a second attempt and was set up for the asphalt runway but was pushed off slightly so I adjusted for the grass strip." He stated that during the landing flare, the airplane "floated" and "by the time I touched I was going too slow to abort or do a missed approach", and the airplane ran off the end of the runway. The airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96ML](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96ML), registered now, S/N 32-7940009, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7940009 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 2877 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott D. Warner - Registered owner: Scott D. Warner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2015, 2,874 hours before - Departed: KDLC, Dillion, SC - Destination: W88, Greensboro, NC - Airport: W88, Air Harbor, runway 09, 2,490 × 65 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 161.6 total, 49.5 in this make and model, 101.1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: W88, 8 nm away ## 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 20150718011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150718011159A), Jul 18, 2015: Piper PA-32-300, Greensboro, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot flew from dillon, SC (dlc airport) to Air Harbor (W88). On his first approach, he said he came in high, and did a go-around. On his second approach,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91595. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photograph 1: Substantial damage to both wings (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Substantial%20damage%20to%20both%20wings%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.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.