# NTSB GAA16CA278: Piper PA24, N991K, Wadsworth, OH, May 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2016, 18:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Wadsworth, OH - Coordinates: 41.002498, -81.754997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0025&lon=-81.7550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93311/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93311 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent power reduction during landing, which resulted in a runway undershoot, collision with the runway threshold, nose and right main landing gear collapse, and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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 downwind: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 251 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 204 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a biennial flight review, the flight instructor requested that a simulated loss of engine power landing be performed while in the traffic pattern. On the base leg, it was determined that they would not reach the runway, and power was added so that a normal landing could be completed. The pilot further reported, that while on short final, the flight instructor called for more power to be added, which resulted in a pitch up attitude. Subsequently, the pilot reacted by pitching the airplane's nose down, but he inadvertently reduced power to idle. The airplane continued to sink and touched down in the grass a few feet prior to the runway threshold, which resulted in a collision with the runway threshold. The nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and a runway excursion off the left side of the runway occurred. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a biennial flight review, the flight instructor requested that a simulated loss of engine power landing be performed while in the traffic pattern. On the base leg, it was determined that they would not reach the runway, and power was added so that a normal landing could be completed. The pilot further reported, that while on short final, the flight instructor called for more power to be added, which resulted in a pitch up attitude. Subsequently, the pilot reacted by pitching the airplane's nose down, but he inadvertently reduced power to idle. The airplane continued to sink and touched down in the grass a few feet prior to the runway threshold, which resulted in a collision with the runway threshold. The nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and a runway excursion off the left side of the runway occurred. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N991K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N991K), registered now, S/N 24-4055, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4055 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 6145 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2015 - Departed: 1G5, MEDINA, OH - Destination: 1G5, MEDINA, OH - Airport: 3G3, Wadsworth Muni, runway 02, 3,529 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,389 total, 957 in this make and model, 1,389 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 50; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,106 total, 82 in this make and model, 6,057 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KBJJ, 10 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 20160531006099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160531006099A), May 31, 2016: Piper PA-24-260, Wadsworth, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot and instructor were practicing simulated engine out approach. Pilot decreased the engine power to idle in error, this action caused the aircraft to stall… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93311. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.