# NTSB NYC08CA128: Piper PA 32-300, N812WM, Apopka, FL, February 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 25, 2008, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Apopka, FL - Coordinates: 28.703611, -81.575553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7036&lon=-81.5756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67637/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance/altitude while on the final leg of the approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the Piper PA 32-300, the purpose of the flight was to deliver the airplane to the new owner. While on the final leg of the approach, "everything was normal and the approach was stable." As the airplane approached the runway he saw yellow water filled barrels, depicting the displaced threshold. Assuming he would clear the barrels, he began to focus on the runway, failing to maintain an adequate flight path and clearance with the barrels. As a result, the left main geared struck one of the barrels and "sheared it off," causing substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to impact. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Piper PA 32-300, the purpose of the flight was to deliver the airplane to the new owner. While on the final leg of the approach, "everything was normal and the approach was stable." As the airplane approached the runway he saw yellow water filled barrels, depicting the displaced threshold. Assuming he would clear the barrels, he began to focus on the runway, failing to maintain an adequate flight path and clearance with the barrels. As a result, the left main geared struck one of the barrels and "sheared it off," causing substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N812WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812WM), registered now, S/N 32-7740076 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 327740076 - Airframe hours: 4752.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter S. Boyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: BOW, Bartow, FL - Destination: X04, Apopka, FL - Airport: X04, Orlando Apopka Airport, runway 33, 2,611 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 205 in this make and model, 299 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 16 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 20080225857809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080225857809A), Feb 25, 2008: Piper PA32300, Apopka, FL, Substantial damage. On final approach, aircraft struck unlighted drums marking end of runway with left landing gear. Gear sheared off wing, striking stabilater and tearing… 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.