# NTSB WPR14CA129: Partenavia P 68 Observer, N947MZ, Molokai, HI, February 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2014, 19:47 local (Feb 28, 2014, 05:47 UTC) - Place: Molokai, HI - Coordinates: 21.311666, -157.916671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3117&lon=-157.9167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstraton - NTSB case key (mKey): 88870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate decision to continue an unstable approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=6780103), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the flight was conducted at night and he used his GPS track to align with the runway. When the pilot activated the runway lights, the airplane was about 1/4 mile to the left of the runway and 1/2 mile from the approach end. The pilot made an aggressive right turn then hard left turn to make the runway for landing. While maneuvering on short final, at 50 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane's right wing impacted the tops of a number of trees that lined the southeast side of the runway. The airplane descended rapidly and landed hard, collapsing the landing gear and spinning the airplane around 180 degrees laterally, where it came to rest against some trees. The right wing's impact with trees and the hard landing resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the flight was conducted at night and he used his GPS track to align with the runway. When the pilot activated the runway lights, the airplane was about 1/4 mile to the left of the runway and 1/2 mile from the approach end. The pilot made an aggressive right turn then hard left turn to make the runway for landing. While maneuvering on short final, at 50 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane's right wing impacted the tops of a number of trees that lined the southeast side of the runway. The airplane descended rapidly and landed hard, collapsing the landing gear and spinning the airplane around 180 degrees laterally, where it came to rest against some trees. The right wing's impact with trees and the hard landing resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N947MZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N947MZ-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 316-12/OB, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PARTENAVIA S.P.A. P 68 OBSERVER (C) - Registry model: [Partenavia P 68 OBSERVER](https://openairdocs.org/model/partenavia-p-68-observer) (registry code 6780103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 316-12/OB - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 8831 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 hp reciprocating; Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paragon Inc - Registered owner: Affordable Casket Outlet LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2013 - Departed: PHNL, Honolulu, HI - Destination: HI49, Molokai, HI - Airport: HI49, Panda Airport, runway 07, 1,920 × 55 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,433 total, 1,716 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: PHMK, 9 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88870. 809 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage (item 3, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%0D%0A-Master.PDF 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.