# NTSB GAA18CA082: Piper PA28, N8856W, Pocasset, OK, December 9, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 9, 2017, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Pocasset, OK
- Coordinates: 35.207221, -97.970275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2072&lon=-97.9703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96465/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96465
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA082

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper approach path, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway.

## 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-28-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102810), [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-28-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing on a private grass airstrip, the airplane landed short of the runway and struck a berm that was covered by tall grass. Subsequently, the right main landing gear leg sheared off and struck the right wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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, while landing on a private grass airstrip, the airplane landed short of the runway and struck a berm that was covered by tall grass. Subsequently, the right main gear leg sheared off and struck the right wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8856W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8856W), registered now, S/N 28-10410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (235)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10410
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 4301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2017
- Departed: 39OK, GOLDSBY, OK
- Destination: PVT, Pocasset, OK
- Airport: PVT, Private, runway N, 1,320 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 435.2 total, 144.1 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 32.7 in the last 90 days, 15.6 in the last 30 days, 2.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KCHK, 5 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 20171209022939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171209022939A), Dec 9, 2017: Piper PA-28-235, Pocasset, OK, Substantial damage. On December 9, 2017, a private appropriately rated pilot departed chickasha, OK to conduct short field operations at a private sod landing strip near Pocasset,…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96465. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 953 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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