# NTSB GAA16CA092: Piper PA 46, N9083U, Stevensville, MD, December 28, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2015, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Stevensville, MD - Coordinates: 38.976387, -76.330001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9764&lon=-76.3300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92508 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92508/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92508 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA092 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain glide path, descent rate and landing flare, in off shore wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing short of the runway. ## 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-46-310P, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-46-310P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he and his passenger embarked on a cross country flight and intended to land at an airport that borders the Chesapeake Bay. The airport runway approach path extends into the bay and the runway is about 133 feet from the water. The pilot reported that on approach he experienced "gusts/turbulence during the entire approach." The pilot recalled that he made a normal approach as he crossed the bay and when he was over land, he began to flare the airplane. He reported that the airplane "dropped suddenly and I touched down some 20 feet short of the runway" at approximately 75 knots indicated airspeed. The airplane impacted the ground, struck a runway light and became airborne. The pilot attempted to abort the landing by applying full throttle and setting the flaps to 20 degrees, however the airplane settled to the ground, shearing off the landing gear and coming to rest in the safety area north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings. The reported wind at the arrival airport was reported as being from 070 degrees at 8 knots. The runway heading at the arrival airport was 11. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he and his passenger embarked on a cross country flight and intended to land at an airport that borders the Chesapeake Bay. The airport runway approach path extends into the bay and the runway is about 133 feet from the water. The pilot reported that on approach he experienced "gusts/turbulence during the entire approach." The pilot recalled that he made a normal approach as he crossed the bay and when he was over land, he began to flare the airplane. He reported that the airplane "dropped suddenly and I touched down some 20 feet short of the runway" at approximately 75 knots indicated airspeed. The airplane impacted the ground, struck a runway light and became airborne. The pilot attempted to abort the landing by applying full throttle and setting the flaps to 20 degrees, however the airplane settled to the ground, shearing off the landing gear and coming to rest in the safety area north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings. The reported wind at the arrival airport was reported as being from 070 degrees at 8 knots. The runway heading at the arrival airport was 11. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9083U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9083U), registered now, S/N 46-8608039, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 46 (310P) - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8608039 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 7516 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-550C 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Fly Safely LLC - Registered owner: Fly Safely LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2015 - Departed: LOM, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Destination: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD - Airport: W29, Bay Bridge, runway 11, 2,713 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,400 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KW29, 1 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 20151228022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151228022369A), Dec 28, 2015: Piper PA-46-310P, Stevensville, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was on a normal approach to Bay Bridge Airport. The aircraft landed 15 feet before the runway threshold and then the aircraft started to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92508. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 915 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.