# NTSB MIA98LA247: Piper PA-24, N7003P, Centre, AL, September 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 1998, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Centre, AL - Coordinates: 34.150505, -85.670204 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1505&lon=-85.6702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44027/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA247 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point and his delay in initiating a go-around during a high and fast approach. A factor was the ditch. ## Analysis The pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern but did not see the wind sock. He entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 27, and while on final approach, the airplane was high and fast. At the point he decided to go-around, he thought the airplane would be unable to clear trees ahead. He continued the approach and the airplane was landed about two-thirds down the 3,401 foot long runway. Unable to stop the airplane, it rolled off the end of the runway and collided with a ditch during which the left main landing gear collapsed. A weather observation taken about 25 minutes after the accident from an airport located 25 nautical miles and 240 degrees from the accident airport revealed in part that the wind was from 150 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot further reported that post accident he observed the wind sock and it was operational. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 1998, about 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24, N7003P, registered to Delta Romeo Corporation, collided with terrain while landing at the Centre Municipal Airport, Centre, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed but not activated for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, pilot-rated right front seat passenger, and one rear seat passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1700 eastern daylight time from the Fulton County Airport-Brown Field, Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot stated that he overflew the airport but did not locate the windsock. He elected to land on runway 27 and during final approach, the airplane was slightly fast and high. He continued the approach and at the point that he decided to go-around, he observed trees ahead and felt he would be unable to clear them. He elected to continue and the airplane was landed about 2/3 down the 3,401-foot-long runway. Unable to stop the airplane, it rolled off the end of the runway, then veered to the right, which he straightened with application of power and left rudder. The airplane then traveled into a ditch causing the left main landing gear to collapse. He further reported that he landed downwind, and he should have decided to go-around earlier. He located the windsock postaccident and noted that it was operational. A weather observation taken at 1655 central daylight time, from the Gadsen Municipal Airport, indicated in part that the wind was from 150 degrees at 4 knots. The Gadsen airport is located 25 nautical miles and 240 degrees from the accident airport. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7003P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7003P), registered now, S/N 24-2148, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2148 - Airframe hours: 4403 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Delta Romeo Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 11, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA - Destination: C22 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: C22, Centre Municipal, runway 27, 3,401 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 37 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GAD, 25 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 19980916024949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980916024949A), Sep 16, 1998: Piper PA24, Centre, AL, Substantial damage. The pilot was unalbe to find the wind sock before landing the aircraft on runway 27 at Centre, Alabama. On landing, the aircraft floated down the runway and… 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.