# NTSB GAA18CA368: Piper PA 32-300, N41AL, Columbia, SC, June 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2018, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 33.938888, -81.119445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9389&lon=-81.1194&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA368 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97545/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97545 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA368 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the airplane right of the runway centerline. The airplane then veered off the runway to the left, the propeller struck the ground, and the nosewheel separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower firewall mating the lower engine mount. 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 he landed to the right of the runway centerline. Then, the airplane veered off the runway to the left, the nose wheel separated and had a propeller strike. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower firewall mating the lower engine mount, as confirmed by the manufacturer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41AL), registered now, S/N 32-7240107 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-K1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-k1a5) (registry code 41663, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7240107 - Year built: 1972 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Spain'S Planes LLC - Registered owner: Spain'S Planes LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CAE, Columbia, SC - Destination: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CAE, Columbia Metropolitan, runway 29, 8,601 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KCAE ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20180618008179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180618008179I), Jun 18, 2018: Piper PA-32-300, Columbia, SC, Minor damage. During roll out on runway 29 at the Columbia metro airport (cae) the aircraft pulled hard left, PIC could not keep aircraft on the runway. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97545. 439 KB in all. - Accident Photos (item 1, .PDF, 2 photos, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Manufacturer (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Manufacturer-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.