Piper PA-24-260B accident near Carrollton, Georgia, May 8, 2010
On May 8, 2010 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-260B, registered N9231P, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Carrollton, Georgia (West Georgia Regional Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper touchdown point during landing. Contributing to the accident was the certificated flight instructor's lack of remedial action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2010 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Carrollton, Georgia · West Georgia Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-260B · all PA-24-260Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9231P · registry record · serial 24-4729
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had just purchased a share in the airplane and was receiving a checkout with a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. While practicing a landing with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed about 90 feet short of the runway pavement. As the airplane proceeded forward, the nosewheel struck the runway edge, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot initiated a go-around and, on the second landing attempt and with no nosewheel, the airplane skidded to a stop, substantially damaging the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the pilot the firewall damage was likely sustained as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. The pilot also noted that the majority of his flight experience has been in high-wing aircraft, where it is easier to see the main gear and runway.
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
- Landing area undershoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,157 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 3,052 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 21, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,153 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,192 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 10, 2009; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CTJ Carrollton GA at 5:20 pm
- Destination: CTJ Carrollton GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,503 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 5:38 pm from CTJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA10CA265.