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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 25, 2018 · Piper PA32 300 · N4747H

Avalon, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 2018
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Avalon, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA32 300
Tail Number
N4747H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA203

A witness reported that the pilot's first landing attempt was too high, and the airplane went around. During the second landing attempt, the airplane was "still too high and came in too fast." The airplane touched down past the runway midpoint, and as the airplane neared the end of the runway, the witness heard the engine "rev up" and saw the airplane depart the runway in a "very nose high" pitch attitude. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain about 1,000 ft beyond the departure end of the runway and about 75 to 100 ft below the runway surface elevation. The pilot reported that he did not recall the events of the accident, but stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The accident is consistent with the pilot's delayed decision to conduct a go-around following an unstable approach and long landing, which resulted in the airplane having insufficient airspeed to climb after the attempted go-around and impact with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On July 25, 2018, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4747H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Avalon, California. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he did not remember the accident but did state there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. The airport manager reported that when the airplane was on downwind, he advised the pilot of the wind which was 330° at 4 knots. He stated that the pilot's first landing attempt was too high, and the airplane went around. On the second landing attempt the airplane was "still too high and came in too fast" but touched down past about midfield. As the airplane neared the end of the runway, he heard the engine "rev up" and observed the airplane depart the runway in a "very nose high" pitch attitude. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain about 1,000 ft beyond the departure end of the runway and about 75 to 100 ft below the runway surface elevation in a nose low attitude.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest AirportCATALINA (0nm SW)
Runway22
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA32 300
Tail NumberN4747H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 SER · Reciprocating
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data