# NTSB GAA17CA263: Piper PA28R, N33006, Frankfort, KY, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2017, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, KY - Coordinates: 38.181945, -84.906387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1819&lon=-84.9064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95124/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95124 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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-28R-200, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-28R-200, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, it felt like "[something] pushed [the airplane] real hard from behind." He added that he applied power, but the airplane continued in a rapid descent. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and veered to the left upon the second touchdown. The pilot added full power and right rudder to recover, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a small hill. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 310° at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare, it felt like "[something] pushed [the airplane] real hard from behind". He added that he applied power, but the airplane continued in a rapid descent. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and veered to the left upon the second touchdown. The pilot added full power and right rudder to recover, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a small hill. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about the time of the accident the wind was 310° at 12 knots, gusting 19 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33006](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33006), registered now, S/N 28R-7535105 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535105 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2016 - Departed: EKX, ELIZABETHTOWN, KY - Destination: FFT, Frankfort, KY - Airport: FFT, Capital City, runway 25, 5,506 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2016; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 282 total, 50 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KFFT ## 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 20170507008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170507008719A), May 7, 2017: Piper PA-28R-200, Frankfort, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot landed hard at fft rwy 25, mishap aircraft bounced, pilot loss control, aircraft came to rest on an embankment left of rwy 25 facing 180 degrees from… ## Other investigations on N33006 (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 CHI85LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA267), Jul 3, 1985: Piper PA-28-200 (N33006), New Richmond, WI, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95124. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 786 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453047&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.