# NTSB NYC95LA018: Piper PA-32-300, N81478, Pillow, PA, October 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1994, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Pillow, PA
- Coordinates: 40.640625, -76.799263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6406&lon=-76.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA018

## Probable cause

The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point on a grass runway covered with frost, which resulted in inadequate braking, and runway overrun.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - inadequate, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

UPON TOUCHDOWN ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, DOWN A STEEP BANK INTO A WOODED AREA.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND THE WINGS SEPARATED.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, 'RUNWAY WAS FROST COVERED GRASS.  BRAKES OPERATED CORRECTLY, NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.'

## Factual narrative

On October 28, 1994, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper, PA-32-300, N81478, owned and piloted by Clayton Heckler, was substantially damaged during a landing at a private grass strip near Pillow, Pennsylvania.  The pilot, and the 1 passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

According to the pilot's written statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:

Upon touch down on runway, applied brakes, skidded off      end of runway, down a steep bank into woods.  Wings      were removed by trees.  Plane fell on right side.       Runway was frost covered grass.  Brakes operated      correctly, no mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81478](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81478-1997-04-18), registration cancelled 1997-04-18, S/N 327940278 (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: 327940278
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John & Clayton Heckler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994, 50 hours before
- Departed: N70, PENN RIDGE, PA
- Airport: NONE, Flying Eagle, runway 27, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 838 total, 760 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CXY, 10 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 19941028036939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941028036939A), Oct 28, 1994: Piper PA32300, Pillow, PA, Substantial damage. Landed fast on frosty wet grass overran runway down a steep bank into trees. Reported brakes operated normal.

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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