# NTSB GAA18CA021: Piper PA32R, N1054S, Block Island, RI, October 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2017, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Block Island, RI - Coordinates: 41.167499, -71.584999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1675&lon=-71.5850&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of an incorrect airspeed during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## 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-32R-301T, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down about "150 ft. beyond [the runway] numbers" and he immediately "removed flaps and applied brakes." He added that he was "unable to stop the forward momentum of the plane," and he believed he was going to overrun the runway, so he applied full power to go-around. Subsequently, the airplane overran the runway before a climb rate could be established, and during the runway excursion, the airplane struck a chain link fence. During the impact, the right wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane rolled inverted down a ravine before coming to a stop on the main landing gear. The pilot further reported that, after the accident, he believed he came in "too fast" for landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane touched down about "150 ft. beyond [the runway] numbers" and he immediately "removed flaps and applied brakes." He added that he was "unable to stop the forward momentum of the plane," and he believed he was going to overrun the runway, so he applied full power to go-around. Subsequently, the airplane overran the runway before a climb rate could be established, and during the runway excursion, the airplane struck a chain link fence. During the impact, the right wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane rolled inverted down a ravine before coming to a stop back on the main landing gear. The pilot further reported after the accident that he believed he came in "too fast" for landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1054S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1054S-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 3257448, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R (301T) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ah1a) (registry code 42003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3257448 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 2215 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-HIA 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 2017 - Departed: FWN, SUSSEX, NJ - Destination: BID, Block Island, RI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BID, Block Island State, runway 28, 2,502 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 358 total, 34 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KBID ## 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 20171001016599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171001016599A), Oct 1, 2017: Piper PA-32R-301T, Block Island, RI, Substantial damage. On October 1, 2017, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N1054S, owned by ^richard faherty^ and operated by ^thomas pepe,^ sustained… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96235. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459529&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.