# NTSB GAA18CA053: Piper PA 28R, N5381F, Melborne, FL, November 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2017, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Melborne, FL - Coordinates: 28.102777, -80.645278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1028&lon=-80.6453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96355/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96355 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll on the wet runway. ## 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: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/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 According to the pilot, during an approach in the rain, there were wind gusts, and he retracted the flaps to zero. He noted that, "I decided to land a little faster than the preferred 75-80 mph." The pilot reported that the airplane "did not settle into a normal rollout." He recalled that a few seconds into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane continued across the safety area and collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. Photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector showed three parallel rubber skid markings that began about 1,500 ft from the approach end of the runway. The markings began in the center of the runway and exhibited a sharp left turn that continued along a path through the safety area and stopped at the drainage culvert. The pilot reported that the left main landing gear assembly and tire failed during the landing roll. However, an examination of the landing gear assembly, wheel, and tire revealed that there were no mechanical anomalies or failures before the runway excursion. The METAR at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the rain was light, and the wind was from 010° at 12 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during an approach in the rain, there were wind gusts and he retracted the flaps to zero. He noted that, "I decided to land a little faster than the preferred 75-80 mph." The pilot reported that the airplane, "did not settle into a normal rollout." He recalled that a few seconds into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane continued across the safety area and collided with a drainage culvert. Photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Safety Inspector assigned to the accident, revealed three parallel rubber skid markings that began about1,500ft from the approach end of runway 9R. The markings began in the center of the runway and exhibited a sharp left turn that continued along a path through the safety area and stopped at the drainage culvert. The pilot reported that the left main landing gear assembly and tire failed during the landing roll. However, an examination of the landing gear assembly, and the wheel and tire, by the FAA Maintenance Inspector, identified that there were no anomalies or failures prior to the runway excursion. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the rain was light, and the wind was from 010° at 12kts. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5381F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5381F-2019-11-08), registration cancelled 2019-11-08, S/N 28R-7635462, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R (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-7635462 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3981 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 2016 - Departed: KFIN, FLAGLER BEACH, FL - Destination: MLB, Melborne, FL - Airport: MLB, Melbourne Intl, runway 09R, 10,181 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 6, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 551 total, 436 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 12 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KMLB ## 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 20171116018829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171116018829A), Nov 16, 2017: Piper PA-28R-200, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. On November 16, 2017, a private rated pilot departed kfin, FL enroute to ksua, FL VFR under 14 CFR part 91. Due to deteriorating weather conditions the pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96355. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - 6120.1 Recommendations (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%206120.1%20Recommendations-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.