GAA19CA052

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA28 · Merced, CA · November 4, 2018

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
November 3, 2018, 19:30 local (Nov 4, 2018, 02:30 UTC)
Place
Merced, CA
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N2956BPiper PA28
Defining event
Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night
Status
Completed · report September 26, 2019
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20181103025179A
Case key
98607

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper glidepath during a landing at night, which resulted in a collision with approach lights.

Findings · 4

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotPiper PA-28-236: 8 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Light condition: darkEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnelPiper PA-28-236: 3 casesAll aircraft: 448 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide pathAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedPiper PA-28-236: 2 casesAll aircraft: 809 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach lightEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operationPiper PA-28-236: 2 casesAll aircraft: 106 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a night currency flight, he flew to an airport with which he was not familiar. He recalled that the approach was normal, and that, during the flare, the airplane collided with three of the runway's medium-intensity approach lighting system runway alignment indicator lights. He then landed the airplane on the runway, and during taxi to parking, the nosewheel tire deflated. The pilot reported that it had been more than 90 days since his last flight at night. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower right aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a night currency flight, he flew to an airport that he was not familiar with. He recalled that the approach was normal, and during the flare the airplane collided with the runway 30 medium intensity approach lighting system runway alignment indicator lights. The airplane landed on the runway and during taxi to parking the nose wheel tire deflated. However, there were a total of three approach lighting system frangible light masts that the airplane collided with. The first mast that the airplane collided with was 35ft AGL, and 1,400ft from the runway threshold and 2,400ft from the runway touch down zone. The second mast was 1,200 ft from the runway threshold, and the third mast was 1,000ft from the runway threshold. The pilot reported that it had been greater than 90 days since his last flight at night. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower right aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N2956B
Reported as
Piper PA28 (236)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
28-7911270
Built
1979
Airframe hours
2,999.82
Engine
Lycoming O-540-J3A5D, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · September 1, 2018
Departed
LHM · Lincoln, CA
Destination
MCE · Merced, CA
Airport
MCE · Merced Rgnl/Macready Field, runway 30, 5,914 × 150 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
48
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
July 9, 2017
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
253 total · 251 in this make and model · 288 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 45 °F
Altimeter
30.03 inHg
Observed at
KMCE

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2019, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.5 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.