Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to obtain a proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was landing to verify the fuel quantity in the airplane. Witnesses observed the pilot reject one landing and perform a go-around maneuver. On the second landing, he touched down about ¾ down the 2,600 ft runway and continued off the departure end into the grass and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and engine mounts. After the accident, the pilot stated that the runway was “a short runway, and [he] didn’t anticipate it.” Furthermore, he reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA205 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 30, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Columbia, Kentucky
- Nearest airport
- Columbia-Adair County (I96)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-161
- N-number
- N2136M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.