# NTSB GAA16CA471: Piper PA24, N7292P, Hillsboro, OH, August 6, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2016, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OH
- Coordinates: 39.280555, -83.675834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2806&lon=-83.6758&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA471
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93966/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93966
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA471

## Probable cause

The pilot's descent below the intended glidepath during the approach, which resulted in an impact with a ditch prior to 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-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,308 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-24-250, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,557 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 204 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during approach, he reduced power and was convinced he had enough altitude to land on the grass runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane impacted a ditch prior to the runway which resulted in a sheared nose landing gear, collapsed main gear, and then slid about 200 feet. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during approach, he reduced power and was convinced he had enough altitude to land on the grass runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane impacted a ditch prior to the runway which resulted in a sheared nose landing gear, collapsed main gear, and then slid about 200 feet. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7292P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7292P-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 24-2470, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (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: 24-2470
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 3650.2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1E5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2015
- Departed: HOC, HILLSBORO, OH
- Destination: Hillsboro, OH
- Airport: runway 33, 1,680 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 262 total, 99 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KILN, 11 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 20160806013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160806013989A), Aug 6, 2016: Piper PA-24-250, Hillsboro, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a short field landing at a private grass strip northeast of Hillsboro, Ohio. His approach was too low and his wheels impacted a small hill just…

## Other investigations on N7292P (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC77FAD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77FAD06), May 4, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N7292P), Juneau, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93966. 2.2 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=40445490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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