# NTSB MIA00LA077: Piper PA-32RT-300, N42Y, W. Columbia, SC, January 28, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 28, 2000, 00:02 local (05:02 UTC) - Place: W. Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 33.939022, -81.149673 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9390&lon=-81.1497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA077 ## Probable cause The inadequate wording of the NOTAM for failure to identify that the usable width of the runway was reduced and the inadequate snow removal by airport personnel for failure to remove the snow from the runway resulting in the on-ground collision with a snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing - notams - inadequate, airport personnel (cause) - terrain condition - snowbank - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause) ## Analysis A NOTAM in effect at the time of the accident indicated, '[runway] 11/29 18 IN SNBNK', and 'all twy [taxiway] edge lgts [lights] obscd [obscured] by snbnks [snowbanks].' The NOTAM did not indicate that the usable width of the runway was reduced. The pilot stated that after landing on runway 11 while exiting the runway at high speed taxiway 'C', the left main landing gear collided with an approximate 18-inch-high berm of ice. He taxied to the ramp then noted damage to the airplane. Examination of runway 11/29 by an FAA inspector revealed an 18-inch high 3 foot-wide ice berm on either side of the runway with the inner edge of the ice berm located approximately 6-8 feet inward from each runway edge. The ice berm had an opening for taxiway 'C'. The nosewheel was determined to be approximately 3 feet to the left of the lead off line from the runway onto the taxiway, at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 28, 2000, about 0002 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N42Y, registered to NES Enterprises, Llc., leased to and operated by Corporate Air Fleet, Inc., collided with a snow bank while taxiing from landing at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, W. Columbia, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 135 non-scheduled, domestic, cargo flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 2320, from the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina. The pilot stated that he landed on the numbers of runway 11 and applied moderate braking to exit off the runway onto high speed taxiway "C." While exiting onto taxiway "C" at approximately 50-60 knots, the left main landing gear collided with an approximate 18-inch-high berm of ice. The pilot continued to taxi to the ramp and after exiting the airplane, noted damage to the left main landing gear and wing. Examination of runway 11/29 by FAA personnel revealed an ice berm approximately 3 feet wide and 18-24 inches high, on either side of the runway with the inner edge of the berm, approximately 6-8 feet inward from each runway edge. The ice berm had an opening for taxiway "C", and damage to the berm that was on the runway near Taxiway "C" was noted. The nosewheel was determined to be approximately 3 feet to the left of the lead off line from the runway onto the taxiway, At the time of impact. Review of the Notice to Airman (NOTAM) information in effect for the accident airport at the time of the accident revealed a NOTAM which indicates, "[runway] 11/29 18 IN SNBNK", and "all twy [taxiway] edge lgts [lights] obscd [obscured] by snbnks [snowbanks]." A letter dated January 25, 2000, from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport to the Anderson Automated Flight Service Station indicates in part, "Caution snow berms 18 inches high adjacent to all taxiways and runways." Another letter from the airport to the Anderson Automated Flight Service Station on January 26, 2000, indicates in part, "Runways 5/23 and 11/29 are open with snow berms 18 inches high on runway edges." The NOTAM and letter from the airport pertaining to the 18-inch high snow berm did not identify that the usable width of the runway was reduced. Review of the airport emergency plan revealed, "The Airport will promptly remove or control, as completely as practical, any snow, ice, and slush on certain paved portions of each movement area." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42Y-2003-09-04), registration cancelled 2003-09-04, S/N 32R7885239, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885239 - Airframe hours: 3551 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Corporate Air Fleet, Inc. - Registered owner: Nes Enterprises Of Nc, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 26, 2000, 7 hours before - Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC - Destination: CAE - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CAE, Columbia Metropolitan, runway 11, 8,602 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,915 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE ## 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 20000128009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000128009529A), Jan 28, 2000: Piper PA32RT300, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Inspector statement:on January 28th at 12:02 am aircraft N42Y a PA32RT-300 operated by corporate air fleet inc. (ctx) and piloted by[privacy data… ## Other investigations on N42Y (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 MIA01FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA107), Mar 30, 2001: Piper PA-32RT-300 (N42Y), Concord, NC, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons. 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.