# NTSB MIA07CA096: Piper PA-28-180, N38730, Fairmont, WV, May 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2007, 21:30 local (May 10, 2007, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, WV - Coordinates: 39.448333, -80.166389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4483&lon=-80.1664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charleston FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65760/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA096 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vasi light/system - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ravine ## Analysis The pilot stated that he flew a stabilized approach and had a normal touchdown. After touchdown the airplane veered to the left, and he compensated with right rudder but got no response. As the airplane drifted to the left, he increased the right rudder inputs and also used right toe-brake but again got no response. Before exiting the runway he pulled the handbrake while applying hard right toe-brake. The aircraft did slow but didn't turn to the right. After exiting the runway the airplane overran the VASI light system and struck a row of runway lights. After which the airplane impacted an embankment and slid obliquely down the side of it. The airplane then impacted another embankment perpendicular to that one, shearing the nose-wheel, bending the prop and engine-cowl. The airplane then rolled to the left and the wing struck the ground, buckling the inboard side fuel tank bulkhead and partially shearing from the fuselage before it come to a stop. The pilot stated that the airplane's nosewheel steering and brakes performed normally prior to the accident flight. The responding FAA inspector stated that examination of the site indicated that the airplane touchdown point was 25 yards from the end of the runway and 8 yards left of the centerline, and angled directly towards the second VASI light installation. Following the tire tracks it appears that the underside of the left wing impacted the VASI light. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he flew a stabilized approach and had a normal touchdown. After touchdown the airplane veered to the left; he compensated with right rudder but got no response. As the airplane drifted to the left, he increased the right rudder inputs and also used right toe-brake but again got no response. Before exiting the runway he pulled the handbrake while applying hard right toe-brake. The aircraft did slow but didn't turn to the right. After exiting the runway the airplane overran the VASI light system and struck a row of runway lights. After which the airplane impacted an embankment and slid obliquely down the side of it. The airplane then impacted another embankment perpendicular to that one, shearing the nose-wheel, bending the prop and engine-cowl. The airplane then rolled to the left and the wing struck the ground, buckling the inboard side fuel tank bulkhead and partially shearing from the fuselage before it come to a stop. The pilot stated that the airplane's nose-wheel steering and braking performed normally prior to the accident flight. The responding FAA inspector stated that examination of the site indicated the airplane's touched down point was 25 yards from the end of the runway and 8 yards left of the centerline, and angled directly towards the second VASI light installation. Following the tire tracks it appears that the underside of the left wing impacted the VASI light. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38730](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38730-2007-09-12), registration cancelled 2007-09-12, S/N 28-7725255, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - 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: 28-7725255 - Airframe hours: 5728 - Engines: Continental 0-360 A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark Hugh Hefner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 21 hours before - Departed: W22, Buckhannon, WV - Destination: 4G7, Fairmont, WV - Airport: 4G7, Fairmount Municipal, runway 22, 2,859 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 690 total, 425 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCKB, 10 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 20070509832129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070509832129A), May 9, 2007: Piper PA28140, Fairmont, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was makeing a night, VFR approach to runway 22 at Fairmont municipal airport and touched down hard, and not alligned with runway heading. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N38730 (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 MIA79DLD19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DLD19), Mar 5, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N38730), Grant, FL, substantial damage 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.