# NTSB GAA17CA282: Piper PA23, N63944, Fremont, OH, May 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2017, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Fremont, OH - Coordinates: 41.334445, -83.164718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3344&lon=-83.1647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95181/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95181 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA282 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate glidepath during approach, which resulted in an impact with a semi-truck. ## 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-23-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102308), [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-23-250, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach in visual meteorological conditions, he referenced the RNAV instrument approach for the runway to assist with vertical guidance "as [there] is no VASI [visual approach slope indicator]" for that runway. He added that he thought he was high enough as he crossed the adjacent highway, but the airplane hit a semi-truck that was traveling across the airplane's flightpath. The airplane continued on short approach, landed, and the main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right engine firewalls and nacelle tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during approach in visual meteorological conditions he referenced the RNAV instrument approach for the runway to assist with vertical guidance "as [there] is no VASI (visual approach slope indicator)" for that runway. He added that he thought he was high enough as he crossed the adjacent highway, but the airplane hit a semi-truck that was traveling across the airplane's flight path. The airplane continued on short approach, landed, and the main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right engine firewalls, and nacelle tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63944](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63944-2017-08-16), registration cancelled 2017-08-16, S/N 27-7854077, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA23 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-7854077 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 4069 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 250 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2017 - Departed: 14G, Fremont, OH - Destination: 14G, Fremont, OH - Airport: 14G, Fremont, runway 9, 4,137 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,575 total, 785 in this make and model, 3,330 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KTDZ, 20 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 20170509008729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170509008729A), May 9, 2017: Piper PA-23-250, Fremont, OH, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on a visual approach to runway 09 at Fremont Airport (14G). On short final the aircraft collided with a tractor trailer truck that was traveling… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95181. 957 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.