Runway Excursion: Piper PA-28-235, N33JM; accident occurred July 28, 2020 at Goose Creek Airport (28A), Indian Trail, Union County, North Carolina

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Kingdom Air Corps

https://registry.faa.gov/N33JM

Location: Indian Trail, North Carolina

Accident Number: ERA20CA267

Date & Time: July 28, 2020, 20:00 Local

Registration: N33JM

Aircraft: Piper PA28 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Runway excursion

Injuries: 2 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

As the pilot approached 2,350-ft-long runway for landing at the destination airport, he flew the airplane higher than normal to avoid trees. The pilot noted that during the final approach the airplane’s speed was also higher than normal, and that the airplane touched down near the mid-point of the runway. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane on the remaining runway, but the airplane overran the departure end before it struck dense vegetation and a ditch. The airplane’s wings and the forward portion of the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to attain the proper landing approach speed and touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun.

Findings

Aircraft Airspeed - Not attained/maintained

Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Runway excursion (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private

Age: 38, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: Lap only

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: January 31, 2018

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: January 10, 2019

Flight Time: 320 hours (Total, all aircraft), 65 hours (Total, this make and model), 216 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14.5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper

Registration: N33JM

Model/Series: PA28 235

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1964

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 28-10305

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 14, 2019 Annual 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 2826.6 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: 

Engine Model/Series: O-540-B205

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: EQY,679 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 19:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 196°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 180° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 24°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Monroe, NC (EQY)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Indian Trail, NC (28A) 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Goose Creek 28A 

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 565 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 04

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 2350 ft / 35 ft 

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop;Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger

Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None

Latitude, Longitude: 35.123611,-80.583335