# NTSB NYC96LA162: Piper PA-28-140, N612FL, Sodus, NY, August 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1996, 20:20 local (Aug 3, 1996, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Sodus, NY - Coordinates: 43.230323, -77.060836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2303&lon=-77.0608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39226/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in insufficient runway to stop the airplane, and the subsequent overrun. Factors in the accident were the wet grass runway surface, and the pilot's lack of recent flying experience. ## 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 - grass (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger flew a local flight from a private airstrip and had returned to land. On final approach to the north runway, the pilot notice rain on the windshield. The pilot flared high and the airplane touched down about halfway down the 2,200 foot wet grass runway. The airplane skidded on the wet grass and ran off the end of the runway and struck trees. Winds at an airport about 35 miles to the west of the private strip were reported from 190 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot obtained his private pilot certificate in 1983, and after a 13 year lay off from flying, had flown about 7 hours during the previous 90 days, and 1 hour in the past 30 days. His estimated total flight experience was 64 hours, of which 15 were as a pilot-in-command. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1996, at 2020 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N612FL, was substantially damaged when it ran off the end of the runway at a private airstrip in Sodus, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Sodus, about 1915. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: "...We flew locally within a 10 mile radius of the airstrip and returned at about 2015. While on final approach some moisture, dew or rain drops appeared on the windshield. I flared a little high and carried down the runway touching down just before the hanger. As I slowed, I attempted to brake, but realized I was sliding. As I approached the north end of the runway...I still kept skidding on the wet runway. I determined the plane was not going to stop so I lined myself up to allow only the wings to contact two trees..." According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the grass was wet, and the airplane had touched down to the north, about halfway down the 2,200 foot strip. Winds at an airport about 35 miles to the west of Sodus were reported from 190 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot obtained his private pilot certificate on May 19, 1983. He moved his residence in 1983, and did not resume flying until about 3 months prior to the accident. The pilot estimated that his total flying experience was about 64 hours, of which 15 hours were as pilot-in-command. The pilot estimated that he had flown about 7 hours during the previous 90 days, all in make and model, of which 1 hour was during the previous 30 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N612FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N612FL-2017-01-18), registration cancelled 2017-01-18, S/N 28-7125491, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 2890 - Engines: Lycoming O-320EG3 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard J. Beldue - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Sodus, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 17 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROC ## 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 19960803020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960803020789A), Aug 3, 1996: Piper PA28140, Sodus, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off runway on landing, wings suffered damage. ## Other investigations on N612FL (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 ERA16FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA324), Sep 25, 2016: Piper PA28 (N612FL), North Collins, NY, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the second airplane's pilot to see and avoid the first airplane as he was overtaking the first airplane. 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.