Probable cause
A loss of control during the attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach for landing when he observed that another airplane on the runway was not exiting the runway as quickly as he expected. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot elected to abort the landing. During the subsequent attempted go-around, the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, rudder, and horizontal stabilator. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies, and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed control continuity from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces during postaccident examination.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA438 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 10, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Nearest airport
- Block Island State Airport (BID)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 28-161
- N-number
- N2149F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.