# NTSB GAA17CA430: Piper PA 28-180, N2814T, Whaleyville, VA, July 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2017, 20:36 local (Jul 23, 2017, 00:36 UTC) - Place: Whaleyville, VA - Coordinates: 36.589443, -76.638053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5894&lon=-76.6381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95642 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95642/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95642 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA430 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## 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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 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-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane touched down on the approach end of the grass airstrip. During the landing roll, he did not realize that his "right foot was resting against the right toe brake." The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip and struck trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not possess a Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificate. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he touched down on the approach end of the grass airstrip. During the landing roll, he did not realize that, his "right foot was resting against the right toe brake." The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip and struck trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not possess a Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificate. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2814T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2814T-2020-11-06), registration cancelled 2020-11-06, S/N 28-7205226, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7205226 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4716 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2017 - Departed: Suffolk, VA - Destination: SAME, Suffolk, VA - Airport: VG37, Umphlett Airstrip, runway 19, 2,550 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 225 total, 150 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KSFQ, 6 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 20170722012579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722012579A), Jul 22, 2017: Piper PA-28-180, Suffolk, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered right off grass strip approximately 1800 ft down 3000 ft. grass strip. Right wing collided with tree line and spun the aircraft around.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95642. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.