# NTSB GAA17CA026: Piper PA 28, N9097U, Latrobe, PA, October 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2016, 10:28 local (14:28 UTC) - Place: Latrobe, PA - Coordinates: 40.273056, -79.410278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2731&lon=-79.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane’s wing striking the ground while the pilot was maneuvering to realign with the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on right downwind and after being cleared for a touch-and-go landing, the tower controller instructed him to make a short approach. The pilot further reported that, during approach, the airplane was to the left of the runway, so he attempted to correct to the right, and "believe[s] that…[he] had applied full right rudder." Subsequently, the right wing impacted the ground and the airplane cart-wheeled. The right wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on right downwind and after being cleared for a touch-and-go landing, the tower instructed him to make a short approach. The pilot further reported that during approach the airplane was to the left of the runway, he attempted to correct to the right, and "believe ['s] that I[he] had applied full right rudder." Subsequently the right wing impacted the ground and the airplane cart-wheeled. The right wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9097U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9097U-2019-02-26), registration cancelled 2019-02-26, S/N 28-8616022, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8616022 - Year built: 1985 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Westmoreland Aviation Holding Co Inc - Registered owner: Westmoreland Aviation Holding Co Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: LBE, Latrobe, PA - Destination: LBE, Latrobe, PA - Airport: LBE, Arnold Palmer Rgnl, runway 23, 8,222 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 200 total, 41 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KLBE, 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 20161014016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161014016489A), Oct 14, 2016: Piper PA-28-161, Latrobe, PA, Destroyed. The pilot and sole occupant was attempting to land on runway 23. The control tower told the pilot to turn short. The aircraft impacted the ground to the left… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94223. 541 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Inspector and Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Inspector%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448703&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. --- 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.