The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Fullerton, California
Accident Number: WPR21LA343
Date and Time: August 30, 2021, 13:40 Local
Registration: N8501P
Aircraft: Piper PA-24-400
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while accomplishing a straight in approach to land, he was slowing the airplane down, and was not paying attention to an obstacle ahead when he extended the landing gear and flaps at the last moment. The airplane subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and then collided with terrain before coming to rest on the runway. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and maintain a proper glidepath on approach which, resulted in a collision with the airport perimeter fence.
Findings
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Environmental issues Fence/fence post - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 90, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 12, 2020
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 28, 2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3834 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2805 hours (Total, this make and model), 3733 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Other flight crew Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Unmanned (sUAS)
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s):
Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s):
Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N8501P
Model/Series: PA-24-400
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 26-81
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 11, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3653 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-720
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 400 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFUL,96 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 91°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7000 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chino, CA (CNO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fullerton, CA
Type of Clearance: VFR;Traffic advisory; VFR flight following
Departure Time: 12:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Air traffic control; Class B;Class C
Airport Information
Airport: FULLERTON MUNI FUL
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 96 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 06/24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3121 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.872014,-117.97978 (est)
90 Year old Pilot! Wow!.. I just wish I have that kind of a life! to keep flying at 90!
ReplyDeleteYou picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful airplane destroyed. I am glad the 2 pilots walked away... This is a no brainer.... Professionalism. Proficiency. And ck list usage in the landing phase... Also the basics.... Pitch. Power. Airspeed. And a stable approach on final.. 2 pilots on board... Should not have happened... Piper only built 144 of these magnificent flying machines.... Let's be careful out there....
ReplyDelete