# NTSB NYC02LA151: Piper PA-28-235, N15442, Kelleys Island, OH, July 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2002, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Kelleys Island, OH - Coordinates: 41.602779, -82.684448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6028&lon=-82.6844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 17, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-25 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55342/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55342 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to obtain a proper touchdown point. A factor was the downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The pilot departed from runway 27 on Kellys Island where the airplane was based. The pilot reported that during final approach back to runway 27, the airplane encountered a severe downdraft. The pilot applied full power, but the airplane struck a rock prior to the runway. The reported wind at an airport about 15 miles southeast, was from 230 degrees at 12 knots, with no gusts. The reported wind at a buoy located about 7 miles northwest, was from 244 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2002, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N15442, was substantially damaged while landing at Kelleys Island Airport (89D), Kelleys Island, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot, pilot rated passenger, and another passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that after a 15-20 minute local flight, he returned to 89D. While approaching runway 27, the airplane encountered a severe downdraft. The pilot added full power, and the pilot rated passenger/owner took control of the airplane, but the left main gear struck a rock prior to the runway. The airplane then bounced onto the runway, spun 180 degrees, and came to rest off the left side of the runway. The pilot further stated that when he positioned the throttle full forward, the engine did not respond immediately, but it did go to full power. However, when asked if there was something wrong with the engine, the pilot stated, "no, there was a few second delay like when you step on the gas pedal in a car." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the left main gear and wing spar. The pilot reported that the winds at 89D, at 1740, were from the west at 14 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The reported wind at an airport about 15 miles southeast, at 1753, was from 230 degrees at 12 knots, with no gusts. Additionally, the reported wind at National Data Center Buoy, located about 7 miles northwest, at 1800, was from 244 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15442](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15442), registered now, S/N 28-7310046, built 1972 (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: 28-7310046 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John B. Kuyoth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2002, 3 hours before - Departed: 89D, Kelleys Island, OH - Destination: 89D, OH - Airport: 89D, Kelleys Island Airport, runway 27, 2,203 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 20, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: LPR, 15 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 20020728038189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020728038189A), Jul 28, 2002: Piper PA28235, Kelleys Island, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 29, 2002 at approximately 19:30 hours local. A Piper (N15442) model PA-28-235 piloted by a Mr. Paul d. hiller was attempting to land at Kelleys… ## Other investigations on N15442 (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 SEA81DYA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYA02), Oct 6, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N15442), Blackfoot, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55342. 910 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40174290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.