# NTSB NYC07CA053: Piper PA-28-181, N348TF, Cumberland, MD, December 31, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2006, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cumberland, MD - Coordinates: 39.619125, -78.760589 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6191&lon=-78.7606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 65103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65103/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's distance/altitude during the landing approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - other - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The student pilot/owner of the Piper PA-28-181 turned onto the final leg of the "routine" approach to the runway, with the flaps fully extended and engine power at idle. He noted that he saw four white lights on the precision approach path indicator (PAPI), and about 1/2 miles from the runway threshold, he saw two white and two red lights on the PAPI. The pilot thought that he was "a bit low," but believed the airplane would be able to reach the runway; however, the airplane touched down about 30 feet before the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear struck the edge of the runway pavement and collapsed. The pilot further stated, "What I should have done when it appeared that I was low on [the] approach and getting lower was to add power." ## Factual narrative The student pilot/owner of the Piper PA-28-181 turned onto the final leg of the "routine" approach to the runway, with the flaps fully extended and engine power at idle. He initially noted that he saw four white lights on the precision approach path indicator (PAPI). About 1/2 mile from the runway threshold, he saw two white and two red lights on the PAPI. The pilot thought that he was "a bit low," but believed the airplane would be able to reach the runway; however, the airplane touched down about 30 feet before the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear struck the edge of the runway pavement, and collapsed. The pilot further stated, "What I should have done when it appeared that I was low on [the] approach and getting lower was to add power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N348TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N348TF-2011-06-30), registration cancelled 2011-06-30, S/N 28-7790598, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7790598 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CBE, Cumberland, MD - Destination: CBE - Airport: CBE, Greater Cumberland Reg Airport, runway 23 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 66; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 130 total, 53 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20061231030939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061231030939A), Dec 31, 2006: Piper PA28181, Cumberland, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1200E, N348TF, a PA28, landed hard on the nose wheel approximately sixty feet from the runway 23 threshold and skidded onto the runway… ## Other investigations on N348TF (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 ERA10CA441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA441), Aug 19, 2010: Piper PA-28-181 (N348TF), Oakland, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.