# NTSB NYC91LA233: Piper PA-34-200, N55145, Easton, PA, September 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1991, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Easton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.680789, -75.220573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6808&lon=-75.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA233

## Probable cause

AN OVERRUN AFTER THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED LONG ON A SHORT, WET RUNWAY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE A GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A SINGLE ENGINE CFI WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION TO BE UPGRADED TO A MULTI ENGINE CFI.  THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND HANDLING THE CROSSWIND AND TURNED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE OVER TO THE PIC.  THE PIC CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND LANDING. THE RUNWAY SURFACE WAS WET FROM RAIN AND THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RUNWAY AND WENT INTO A PLOWED FIELD.  THE PIC SAID HE LANDED IN THE FIRST 1/3.  A WITNESS SAID THE LANDING WAS 2/3 TO 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY WHICH IS 1953 FEET LONG.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE PEDALS ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE FAA SAID THEY DID NOT NOTICE ANY SKID MARKS IN THE GRASS.  THE PIC SAID HE BRAKED THE AIRPLANE USING THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER LOCATED ON THE LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BETWEEN THE TWO PILOT SEATS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55145](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55145-2012-02-03), registration cancelled 2012-02-03, S/N 34-7350178, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7350178
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff Van Arsdale
- Registered owner: Jeff Van Arsdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ABE, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Airport: N43, Easton, runway 18, 1,953 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,855 total, 211 in this make and model, 1,676 as pilot in command, 242 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken

## 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 19910910038969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910910038969A), Sep 10, 1991: Piper PA34200, Easton, PA, Substantial damage. Landed long on wet runway. CFI took over. Hydroplaned. Failed to go around. Slid off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N55145 (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 CHI74FET12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FET12), Oct 26, 1973: Piper PA-34 (N55145), Osceola, IN, substantial damage

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.

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