# NTSB NYC97LA075: Piper PA-28-161, N21123, Butler, PA, April 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1997, 22:45 local (Apr 15, 1997, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Butler, PA - Coordinates: 40.759326, -80.320831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7593&lon=-80.3208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39345/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA075 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed on final approach; his failure to attain the proper touchdown point; and his failure to perform a go-around, while there was still sufficient airspeed and runway remaining, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent damage to the airplane. Darkness was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot departed a 2,580 foot asphalt runway with a displaced threshold of 180 feet for a local flight. When he returned, he entered the left downwind for a night landing on runway 18. On final approach, he observed that the airplane was too high, and he performed a go-around. During the second landing attempt, the pilot reported that the airplane touched down in the vicinity of the approach end of the runway. The pilot stated that he applied brakes and that the brakes 'locked up.' The airplane overran the end of the runway, went across grass, and came to rest on a road. A student-pilot passenger aboard the airplane stated that on the second approach, the pilot was high, and the airplane continued to float while flaring, 'experiencing ground effect.' Examination of the airplane brake system did not disclose evidence of a mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1997, about 2245 eastern daylight time, a PA-28-161, N21123, was substantially damaged during a landing overrun at Butler Farm Show Airport (3G9), Butler, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement and during a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he departed runway 18, a 2,580 foot asphalt runway with a displaced threshold of 180 feet. When he returned, he entered the left downwind for runway 18. During the final approach the airplane was too high, and he performed a go-around. The pilot conducted a second approach, during which he held an airspeed of 60 to 70 knots on the final approach, with full flaps. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down in the vicinity of the approach end of the runway. The airplane bounced followed by a second touchdown. The pilot stated that he applied brakes and that the brakes locked up. The airplane overran the end of the runway, across grass and came to rest on a road. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector (FAA) interviewed the pilot at the accident site. The pilot reported that he flared mid-field, and that touchdown occurred on the last third or quarter of the runway. The FAA Inspector conducted a telephone interview with the two passengers on board the airplane. One passenger, a student pilot, stated that on his second approach, the pilot was high and continued to float while flaring, "experiencing ground effect." He also stated, the airplane departed the runway, onto the grass, and slide across the road. Examination of the airplane by FAA Inspectors revealed no preimpact failure of the engine or airframe. The FAA Inspector's report stated, " I disassembled the left and right brake assemblies, the brake pads were found within limits and found no reason as to why the brake system should not perform normally." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21123](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21123), registered now, S/N 28-7916027, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7916027 - Airframe hours: 7677 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pro Flight Center Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1997, 70 hours before - Departed: 3G9 - Airport: 3G9, Butler Farm Show, runway 18, 2,580 × 38 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 359 total, 173 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BTP, 5 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 19970415005889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970415005889A), Apr 15, 1997: Piper PA28161, Butler, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft sheared off part of landing gear on landing, ran off runway. 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.