Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28R-201 near Kingston, NY — 2012-05-19

Final reportERA12LA360
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Date
2012-05-19
Location
Kingston, NY, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28R-201
Registration
N6236C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees/foliage at an undetermined point during the flight.

NTSB narrative

During a local flight, the pilot briefly observed a “dark mass” in his peripheral vision and felt the airplane shaking. He looked to the left and noted that the left wing was damaged. He then returned to the departure airport and landed uneventfully. All collected evidence supports the likelihood that the airplane struck trees or some other foliage during the flight. Green-colored deposits that were initially observed on the wing leading edge later turned brown; concave depressions, oriented perpendicular to the chord of the wing, were observed on the wing leading edge; and pieces of wood were recovered from within the wing. Examination of the airplane and photographs showed no evidence of an encounter with birds or other wildlife.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying near unknown objects during the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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