# NTSB NYC97LA179: Piper PA-28R-200, N4982S, West Chester, PA, September 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 1997, 20:39 local (Sep 6, 1997, 00:39 UTC) - Place: West Chester, PA - Coordinates: 39.98981, -75.599906 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9898&lon=-75.5999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39429 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39429/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA179 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance to the runway, which resulted in an undershoot and failure to reach the proper touchdown point. Rising terrain at the approach end of the runway was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot performed a night visual approach to a 3,000 foot runway. He reported that just before touchdown, the runway lights disappeared. Power was added for a go-around, but the airplane struck rising terrain short of the runway. An FAA inspector reported that the airplane touched down about 30 feet before the end of the runway and 5 feet below the level of the runway. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 1997, about 2039 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N4982S, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Brandywine Airport, West Chester, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was conducted on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan. The flight originated at Columbus, Ohio, about 1810, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he entered a left downwind for runway 27. The approach and before landing checklists were completed and as he turned final the approach was stabilized. Upon very short final the runway lights disappeared from view. The pilot added full power and pitched the nose up for a go-around. The airplane struck the terrain about 2 to 4 seconds after full power was applied and the nose pitched up. The airplane struck terrain about 15 feet below the level of the runway. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the accident site and airplane. He reported that the airplane touched down about 30 feet prior to the runway, and about 5 feet below the level of the runway, on rising terrain. Both main landing gear penetrated the upper skin of the wing, were sheared off, and both wing spars were bent. The nose landing gear collapsed rearward. The investigation revealed that runway 27 was 3,007 feet long, 50 feet wide, and had low intensity runway edge lights. The terrain at the end of the runway sloped down. The pilot reported the winds were calm. The pilot reported his total time as 213.3 hours with 32.6 hours at night. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4982S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4982S-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 28R-35702, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-35702 - Airframe hours: 2488 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Burnell D. Simpson II - Registered owner: William E. Bohrer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH - Destination: N99 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: N99, Brandywine, runway 27, 3,007 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 16 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 17 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 19970905047429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970905047429A), Sep 5, 1997: Piper PA28R200, Westchester, PA, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot entered left downwind for runway 27 @N99, brandywine airport, extended landing gear, turned left base, had normal approach, turned final for… 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.