Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Bennington, Vermont, August 29, 2022
On August 29, 2022 at about 9:17 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA-28R-180, registered N3768T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Bennington, Vermont (Morse State Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2022 · about 9:17 pm local time
- Place
- Bennington, Vermont · Morse State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-180, built 1967 · all PA-28R-180s on the register
- Registration
- N3768T · registry record · serial 28R-30080
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was on approach for landing with variable wind conditions; however, METAR data showed there was a crosswind at the time of the accident. He further stated that he “flared early, got slow, attempted a go around and ended up in a full power stall.” The airplane collided with terrain near the approach end of the runway. Airport surveillance video supports the pilot’s account of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage reported that there was substantial damage to the forward fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 463 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 31, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,192 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 25, 2022; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-B1E (piston); 7,192 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 13, 3,704 ft by 74 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from KDDH
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDDH 292054Z AUTO 22006KT 10SM SCT060 32/18 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP147 T03170183 56021
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 27, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airport Surveillance Video | AVI file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.