# NTSB GAA19CA430: Piper PA28, N4245J, Wasilla, AK, July 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 9, 2019, 17:00 local (Jul 10, 2019, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.616943, -149.32167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6169&lon=-149.3217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99877/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99877 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA430 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent hard landing, runway excursion, and collision with a sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102802), [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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane stalled and then fell the final 3 to 5 ft to the runway and landed hard. Subsequently, the nose landing gear tire "blew out," which resulted in the mounting framework collapsing. The airplane then veered right and exited the runway, and the right wing impacted a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and 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, during the landing flare, the airplane "[fell] the final 3 to 5 ft and landed hard. Subsequently, the nose landing gear tire "blew out" and collapsed, the airplane veered right, exited the runway and the ring wind impacted a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located 7 miles to the east, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 8. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4245J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4245J-2020-07-27), registration cancelled 2020-07-27, S/N 28-22600, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22600 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3902.71 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2018 - Departed: 0AK1, Wasilla, AK - Destination: 0AK1, Wasilla, AK - Airport: 0AK1, Anderson Lake, runway 08, 1,800 × 40 ft, gravel - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 7 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 20190709009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190709009669A), Jul 9, 2019: Piper PA-28-140, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Landed and contacted upward inclined gravel boat ramp, 100' short Of asphalt threshold for runway 08 (gravel runway). ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99877. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475621&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. --- 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.