# NTSB GAA18CA281: Piper PA 32R, N25WE, Cape Carteret, NC, May 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2018, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Cape Carteret, NC - Coordinates: 34.705276, -77.051109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7053&lon=-77.0511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97264/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97264 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s steep approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the landing gear during touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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-32R-301, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane, he set up for an extended final approach to the sandy turf runway. He waited until he cleared the trees and "then…dropped down to land." The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. The main and nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane slid about 300 ft before it came to a stop on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site reported that witnesses stated that the pilot landed the airplane hard on the sandy turf surface. However, the pilot stated that he did not. However, the pilot did state that he really had to bring the airplane in steep over the trees to get it on the runway. Photographs provided by the operator showed vertical deformation of both wings at the main landing gear mount location. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, he set up for an extended final approach to the sandy turf runway. He waited until he cleared the trees, "then I dropped down to land." The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. The main and nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane slid about 300ft before it came to a stop on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the lower fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that witnesses had stated that the pilot landed hard on the sandy turf surface. However, the pilot stated that he did not. Nevertheless, the pilot did state that he really had to bring it in steep over the trees to get the airplane on the runway. Photographs provided by the operator showed vertical deformation of both wings at the main landing gear mount location. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25WE), registered now, S/N 32R-8113039, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32R (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8113039 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 6025 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Axiom Capital Solutions LLC - Registered owner: Axiom Capital Solutions LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, November 15, 2017 - Departed: BUY, Burlington, NC - Destination: 60NC, Cape Carteret, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 60NC, Star Hill Golf Club, runway 06, 2,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 600 total, 250 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KNJM, 2 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 20180514005369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180514005369A), May 14, 2018: Piper PA-32R-301, Cape Carteret, NC, Substantial damage. N25WE approached to land on runway 24 at 60NC. The aircraft came over the obstacle and touched down just 60 feet beyond the displaced threshold on a runway of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97264. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.