# NTSB GAA17CA519: Piper J5A, N30897, Springfield, VT, August 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2017, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Springfield, VT - Coordinates: 43.343612, -72.517219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3436&lon=-72.5172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA519 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95956/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95956 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA519 ## Probable cause The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in landing long and fast, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around. ## 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 J5A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 9,295 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7100702), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on grass surface next to a hard-surfaced runway, the airplane approached "too high and landed too fast." He added that he was "not sure" if he could stop the airplane in the remaining distance, so he "decided to go-around, but did not leave…enough room to clear the trees" at the end of the landing area. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees and stopped. The right wing, fuselage, and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable and that he landed parallel to runway 29. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on grass surface next to a hard-surfaced runway, the airplane approached "too high and landed too fast." He added that he was "not sure" if he could stop the airplane in the remaining distance, so he "decided to go-around, but did not leave myself [himself] enough room to clear the trees" at the end of the landing area. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees and stopped. The right wing, fuselage, and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable, and he landed parallel to runway 29. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30897](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30897), registered now, S/N 5-279, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-279 - Year built: 1940 - Airframe hours: 2804.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2017 - Departed: RUT, RUTLAND, VT - Destination: VSF, Springfield, VT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VSF, Hartness State (Springfield), runway 29, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 560 total, 9 in this make and model, 401 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KVSF ## 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 20170827013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170827013679A), Aug 27, 2017: Piper J5A, Springfield, VT, Substantial damage. This office notified by State of Vermont operations division that on 8/27/2017 at Springfield, Vermont,N30897, J5A, landed runway 29, lost control and ran into… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95956. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Safety Alert SA 077 (item 3, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Safety%20Alert%20SA%20077-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.