# NTSB NYC07CA141: Piper PA31-310, N97044, Marietta, PA, June 18, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2007, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Marietta, PA - Coordinates: 40.092224, -77.574447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0922&lon=-77.5744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66009/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in an undershoot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot of the Piper PA-31-450 reported that he did not have any mechanical or performance problems with the airplane during the instrument flight and subsequent visual approach. The pilot also reported that it was his habit to land unusually close to the runway threshold. He believed that this approach "looked perfect," but at the "last minute," he judged the airplane to be "just a little low" and attempted a correction. The airplane then experienced a "hard hit," and the pilot thought that the main wheels contacted the lip at the end of the runway pavement. The airplane came to rest straddling the right edge of the runway, and was unable to be taxied due to landing gear damage. No one else was present at the time of the accident. The pilot kept a lookout for other aircraft that might attempt to take off or land on the runway, until air traffic control was notified and the airport closed. Ground scars were consistent with landing gear impact just short of the runway. The accident flight was the pilot's third flight to this airport. The pilot stated that neither the weather nor the airport posed any hazards to his landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Piper PA-31-450 reported that he did not have any mechanical or performance problems with the airplane during the instrument flight and subsequent visual approach. The pilot also reported that it was his habit to land unusually close to the runway threshold. He believed that this approach "looked perfect," but at the "last minute," he judged the airplane to be "just a little low" and attempted a correction. The airplane then experienced a "hard hit," and the pilot thought that the main wheels contacted the lip at the end of the runway pavement. The airplane came to rest straddling the right edge of the runway, and was unable to be taxied due to landing gear damage. No one else was present at the time of the accident. The pilot kept a lookout for other aircraft that might attempt to take off or land on the runway, until air traffic control was notified and the airport closed. Ground scars were consistent with landing gear impact just short of the runway. The accident flight was the pilot's third flight to this airport. The pilot stated that neither the weather nor the airport posed any hazards to his landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97044](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97044-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 31-450, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA31-310 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-450 - Airframe hours: 5556 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aires Analytics Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006, 144 hours before - Departed: W66, Warrenton, VA - Destination: N71, Marietta, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: N71, Donegal Springs, runway 28, 3,250 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,118 total, 349 in this make and model, 878 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MDT, 11 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 20070618020549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070618020549A), Jun 18, 2007: Piper PA31310, Mount Joy/Mari, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The subject aircraft touched down two feet short of the runway threshold resulting in the main landing gear lower struts impacting the pavement edge. 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.