# NTSB NYC05CA037: Piper PA-32RT-300, N300WE, Johnstown, NY, December 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2004, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Johnstown, NY - Coordinates: 42.998054, -74.329444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9981&lon=-74.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60807/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in airframe ice with subsequent degradation of aircraft performance, and inadequate airspeed during the landing flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - miscellaneous,airframe - ice (contributing factor) - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis As the pilot was performing the GPS approach to runway 28, ice accumulated on the airplane. He broke out of the clouds at an altitude of 1,600 feet; however, he had difficulty visually identifying the runway, due to the snow cover on the ground. The pilot stated he was at an airspeed of 100 knots (about 65% power) while on short final, and as he reached the runway threshold, he "cut the power," and applied the third notch of flaps. The airplane then "stalled," and landed hard on the runway. ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2004, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N300WE, was substantially damaged during landing at the Fulton County Airport (NYO), Johnstown, New York. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at the Chester County Airport (40N), Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while performing the GPS approach to runway 28, ice accumulated on the airplane. He broke out of the clouds at an altitude of 1,600 feet; however, he had difficulty visually identifying the runway, due to the snow cover on the ground. The pilot stated he was at an airspeed of 100 knots (about 65% power) while on short final, and as he reached the runway threshold, he "cut the power," and applied the third notch of flaps. The airplane then "stalled," and landed hard on the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and empennage section of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N300WE), registered now, S/N 32R-7985007, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7985007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William Reiter - Registered owner: K & S Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 40N, Coatesville, PA - Destination: NYO, Johnstown, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: NYO, Fulton County, runway 28, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 6, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 502 total, 29 in this make and model, 405 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 27 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 20041229035019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041229035019A), Dec 29, 2004: Piper PA32RT300, Johnstown, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12/29/2004, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N300WE piloted by [privacy data omitted] made a hard landing at Fulton County Airport, NY resulting in damage to the… 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.