# NTSB MIA00LA020: Piper PA-28-235, N8515W, Raleigh, NC, November 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 1999, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Raleigh, NC - Location: 35.8776° N, 78.7875° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL (RDU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8776&lon=-78.7875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47679 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47679/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA020 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing rollout for undetermined reasons. This resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with an airport sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot was making a VFR night landing. On touchdown the airplane veered to the left without any brakes being applied. The airplane departed the runway and collided with an airport sign. The pilot regained control of the airplane, notified tower, and taxied to the ramp. The surface winds were 280 degrees at 4 knots. A functional test of the airplane brake system revealed no deficiencies. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 1999, at about 1815 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8515W, registered to a private owner experienced an on-ground collision with a fixed object at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private-rated pilot and private-rated pilot/passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Concord, North Carolina, about 1 hour before the accident. The pilot stated he made a visual approach to runway 23 right, and backed the approach up with the ILS. On touchdown the airplane veered to the left. He stated he had not applied any brakes. The airplane departed the runway into the grass. He applied brakes, regained directional control, and maneuvered the airplane back on the runway. He contacted the tower and informed them that he did not know what had happened. He stated the tower asked him if he had a bird strike. He stated he did not know. He exited the runway onto the taxiway and contacted ground. He looked out the window to his left and saw a dent in the wing. He informed ground control that he knew he had hit something. He taxied to the ramp without further incident. An operational check of the airplane brake system by an FAA aviation safety inspector revealed no deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8515W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8515W), registered now, S/N 28-10016, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10016 - Airframe hours: 2810 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David E Paquette - Registered owner: Richard K. Malcolm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1999, 222 hours before - Departed: JQF, CONCORD, NC - Destination: RDU - Airport: RDU, Raleigh-Durham Int, runway 23R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 15 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDU ## 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 19991103030999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991103030999A), Nov 3, 1999: Piper PA28235, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 3, 1999, at about 1815 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8515W, registered to a private owner experienced an on-ground collision… 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.