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NTSB Report

January 29, 1994 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2496X

Newburyport, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Newburyport, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2496X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO94LA036

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FINAL APPROACH, HE FLARED PRIOR TO REACHING THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. HE EXPECTED TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE NUMBERS. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE FLARE, HE FELT A 'BUMP.' THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SNOWANK WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE SNOWBANK MEASURED ABOUT THREE FEET IN HEIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THAT NEITHER HE NOR HIS PILOT RATED PASSENGER SAW THE SNOW BANK.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining clearance from the snowbank during final approach. A factor in this accident was the proximity of the snowbank to the active runway.

Full Narrative

On January 29, 1994 about 1155 hours eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2496X collided with a snow bank during landing flare at Plum Island Airport, Newburyport, Massachusetts. After colliding with the three foot high snow bank, the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was being operated by Beverly Flight Center of Danvers Massachusetts. The flight originated in Lawrence, Massachusetts about 1140 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. According to an FAA safety inspector who was at the scene of the accident when the accident occurred, the airplane was on final approach for landing when it struck a three foot high snow and ice mound. The mound was about 10 feet short of the intended landing runway. The inspector said the airplane then hit the ground between the mound and the runway in a nose down attitude. She said that when the propeller struck the ground the engine had a sudden stoppage. In his written statement, the pilot said that in order to take advantage of the full runway length, he flared prior to reaching the runway threshold. He said he expected to touch down on the runway numbers. He said that he did not notice the snow that had been "piled up" off the end of the runway wince he was concentrating on the runway itself. He reported that immediately prior to touch down, he felt a "bump." He further stated that his pilot rated passenger did not see the snow bank either.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 EST
Nearest AirportPlum Island (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length2520 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2496X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 13 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data