PIPER PA-28-140 near Ponca City, OK — 2010-12-04

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control during landing for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported that the airplane rolled inverted on final approach and then impacted the ground. A postaccident examination of the accident site and airplane revealed the airplane bounced several times during landing and the left wing struck the ground, separating it from the fuselage. The airplane became inverted, skidded across the grass median and taxiway, and collided with a chain link fence. Recorded wind at the time of the accident were aligned with the runway heading at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have aborted landing after bouncing on runway.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Landing

Evidence available

• Photos
• 21 docket documents

Docket documents21

• NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Reportform
• Memorandumother
• Street Map, Ponca City Municipal Airportother
• Aerial Photograph, Ponca City Regional Airportphotos
• Photo 1 - View to the north. The threshold of runway 17 is at far right. Note ground furrows in foreground.photos
• Photo 10 - Right side of the inverted airplane.photos
• Photo 11 - Right front of the inverted airplane.photos
• Photo 12 - View of the left rear of the airplane. Note separated left wing.photos
• Photo 13 - The inverted right wing with the flap deployed.photos
• Photo 14 - The instrument panel.photos
• Photo 2 - View to the south and the departure end of runway 17 (far left).photos
• Photo 3 - View to the southwest. The airplane veered off runway 17, crossed the grass median and taxiway, and slid into a chain link fence.photos
• Photo 4 - Ground furrow at the lip of the taxiway. Note the green position light lens fragment in the dirt.photos
• Photo 5 - Scrape marks on the taxiway and ground furrows leading to the airplane's left wing tip.photos
• Photo 6 - Tire scuff mark on the taxiway.photos
• Photo 7 - View to the northeast and the direction from which the airplane came. Note the VASI lights (background).photos
• Photo 8 - Looking aft from the inverted empennage toward the runway. VASI lights are in the background. Note taxiway scrapes and ground furrows.photos
• Photo 9 - View of the right rear of the airplane as it rests against the chain link fence. Note iron beams stored on racks in background.photos
• Satellite Photograph, Ponca City Regional Airportphotos
• Toxicology Reports, Kenneth R. Greenreport
• Weather Reports and Recordsreport

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