Piper PA-28-151 N777EX accident near Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to use the mixture control to override a throttle anomaly and reduce engine power, which resulted in excessive airspeed upon landing and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to reduce the engine power via the throttle control for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination and test run of the engine revealed no anomalies.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while on approach to land after a short cross-country flight, he was unable to adequately slow the airplane because he could not reduce the engine power below 2,000 rpm by manipulating the throttle control. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to land the airplane five times and conducted a go-around after each attempt. During the sixth attempted landing, the airplane touched down, but the pilot was unable to stop the airplane, and it overran the runway. When asked why he did not reduce the mixture control to slow the airplane, the pilot reported that he was concerned that the engine would lose all power.

Examination of the wreckage revealed that the throttle linkage and carburetor were intact, and no anomalies were noted. During a subsequent engine test run, the engine started on the first attempt and ran continuously. The engine was run to 2,000 rpm, and a successful magneto check was performed. The engine was then run to full power (2,300 rpm), followed by a power reduction to idle without any anomalies noted.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA285 for the full record.