# NTSB GAA20CA094: Piper PA28, N5776W, Simsbury, CT, November 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2019, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Simsbury, CT - Coordinates: 41.91611, -72.776947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9161&lon=-72.7769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA094 ## Probable cause The automobile driver's incursion onto an active runway, which resulted in a collision with a landing airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7102804), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7102804), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102804), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102804), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was landing, a car drove onto the runway and struck the left wing. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The vehicle's driver reported that he stopped at the entrance of the runway and looked left and right to make sure it was clear. While crossing the runway, he heard glass shatter and felt a heavy impact. He did not see the airplane until after the collision. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was landing, a car did not stop at the hold short line and drove onto the runway. The car struck the left wing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest on the runway. The driver of the vehicle reported that, he stopped at the entrance of the runway and checked left and right to make sure it was clear. While crossing the runway he heard glass shatter and a heavy impact. At no time did he see the airplane, until after the collision. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5776W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5776W-2020-07-22), registration cancelled 2020-07-22, S/N 28-1611, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1611 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 1733 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Future Flyers Of Connecticut Llc - Registered owner: Future Flyers Of Connecticut Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2019 - Departed: 4B8, Plainville, CT - Destination: 4B9, Simsbury, CT - Airport: 4B9, Simsbury, runway 03, 2,205 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 50 total, 20 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2019; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 450 total, 45 in this make and model, 389 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KBDL, 4 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 20191123021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191123021639A), Nov 23, 2019: Piper PA-28-150, Simsbury, CT, Destroyed. At approximately 08:46 EDT on November 23, aircraft N5776W, a Piper PA-28-150, s/n 28-1611, landed on runway 03 at Simsbury Airport and on roll out was… ## Other investigations on N5776W (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC68F0296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0296), Nov 26, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N5776W), Hershey, PA, incident, no damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100629. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Drivers Statement (item 2, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Drivers%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 901 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479946&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.