# NTSB GAA18CA094: Piper PA32, N11KX, Spearfish, SD, December 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2017, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Spearfish, SD - Coordinates: 44.484722, -103.788055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4847&lon=-103.7881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96541/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96541 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent landing in snow adjacent to the snow-covered runway resulting in a collision with runway signs. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: snow](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7103209), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following an instrument approach in light snow, he inadvertently landed in the safety area to the left of the snow-covered runway. During landing, both wings collided with runway signs. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to 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 following an instrument approach in light snow, he inadvertently landed in the safety area to the left of the snow-covered runway. During landing, both wings collided with runway signage. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11KX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11KX), registered now, S/N 32-8224004, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (301T) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8224004 - Year built: 1981 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stamm Air LLC. - Registered owner: Stamm Air LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 2017 - Departed: MCK, McCook, NE - Destination: SPF, Spearfish, SD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SPF, Black Hills-Clyde Ice Field, runway 13, 6,401 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,586.8 total, 1,503.4 in this make and model, 1,506 as pilot in command, 36.7 in the last 90 days, 14.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSPF ## 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 20171228024309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171228024309A), Dec 28, 2017: Piper PA-32-301T, Spearfish, SD, Substantial damage. On 12/28/2017 at 1215 a Piper saratoga PA-32-301T owned/registered to stamm air LLC was involved in an accident during landing while performing a pleasure… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96541. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 402 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463317&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.