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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 31, 2006 · Piper PA-28-181 · N348TF

Cumberland, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cumberland, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N348TF
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC07CA053

The student pilot/owner of the Piper PA-28-181 turned onto the final leg of the "routine" approach to the runway, with the flaps fully extended and engine power at idle. He noted that he saw four white lights on the precision approach path indicator (PAPI), and about 1/2 miles from the runway threshold, he saw two white and two red lights on the PAPI. The pilot thought that he was "a bit low," but believed the airplane would be able to reach the runway; however, the airplane touched down about 30 feet before the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear struck the edge of the runway pavement and collapsed. The pilot further stated, "What I should have done when it appeared that I was low on [the] approach and getting lower was to add power."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's distance/altitude during the landing approach.

Full Narrative

The student pilot/owner of the Piper PA-28-181 turned onto the final leg of the "routine" approach to the runway, with the flaps fully extended and engine power at idle. He initially noted that he saw four white lights on the precision approach path indicator (PAPI). About 1/2 mile from the runway threshold, he saw two white and two red lights on the PAPI. The pilot thought that he was "a bit low," but believed the airplane would be able to reach the runway; however, the airplane touched down about 30 feet before the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear struck the edge of the runway pavement, and collapsed. The pilot further stated, "What I should have done when it appeared that I was low on [the] approach and getting lower was to add power."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EST
Nearest AirportGreater Cumberland Reg Airport (0nm)
Runway23
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN348TF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data