Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32-300 near Mount Pleasant, TX — 2022-07-04

Final reportCEN22FA299
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Date
2022-07-04
Location
Mount Pleasant, TX, USA
Airport
OSA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32-300
Registration
N1403X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath while on final approach in night visual conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was established on final approach for landing in night visual conditions. The airplane tracked inbound along the approach course until, about 0.40 mile from the runway, it impacted trees and terrain. A witness reported that the airplane seemed to be right overhead when he first heard it, and about one second later he heard it impact trees. He noted that the engine sounded like it was at maximum power. The outboard portion of the right wing was located at the initial tree strike, and the inboard portion of the right wing was located within the debris path. A ground impact path began about 160 ft from the tree strike, and the main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage, left wing, empennage, and engine, came to rest about 320 ft from the initial tree strike. An examination of the airframe and engine identified no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The runway was equipped with precision approach path indicators (PAPI). During the onsite investigation the day after the accident, the PAPI lights were illuminated. A review of airplane position data revealed that the airspeed was about 78 knots while on final approach. The aerodynamic stall speed was 62 knots with the wing flaps retracted and 55 knots with them extended. The descent rate during that period was within the capabilities of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach earlier to avoid impact.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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