Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA23 near Fremont, OH — 2017-05-09

Final reportGAA17CA282
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Date
2017-05-09
Location
Fremont, OH, USA
Airport
14G
Aircraft
PIPER PA23
Registration
N63944
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate glidepath during approach, which resulted in an impact with a semi-truck.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach in visual meteorological conditions, he referenced the RNAV instrument approach for the runway to assist with vertical guidance "as [there] is no VASI [visual approach slope indicator]" for that runway. He added that he thought he was high enough as he crossed the adjacent highway, but the airplane hit a semi-truck that was traveling across the airplane's flightpath. The airplane continued on short approach, landed, and the main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right engine firewalls and nacelle tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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