Piper PA 32-260 accident near Lebanon, Ohio, June 4, 2014
On June 4, 2014 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1974 Piper PA 32-260, registered N3FN, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Lebanon, Ohio (Warren County/John Lane Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing which resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2014 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lebanon, Ohio · Warren County/John Lane Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 32-260 260, built 1974 · all PA 32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N3FN · registry record · serial 32-7500007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported he encountered wind gusts and turbulence on final approach to the runway but stated the air became calm approximately 300 feet above the ground. During the flare, as the wheels touched down, the pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind that caused the airplane to veer left off the runway with the left main wheel traveling into the grass. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not gain altitude and the pilot "lost control of the airplane." The airplane veered right, crossed the runway and travelled up an embankment. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been prevented if he focused on maintaining control of the airplane after touch down and not attempted a go-around, or made the decision to go-around sooner.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 254.5 hours in all; 14.6 in this make and model; 1.2 in the last 90 days; 1.2 in the last 30 days; 211.6 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 8, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,054 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-540 SERIES (piston); 8,054 hours total
- Operator: Flying Neutrons LLC
The flight
- Departed from: I68 Lebanon OH at 11:00 pm
- Destination: I68 Lebanon OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 4,502 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KMGY, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.