Piper PA-32R-301 accident near West Chester, Pennsylvania, August 22, 2005
On August 22, 2005 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301, registered N9285R, was destroyed in an accident near West Chester, Pennsylvania (Brandywine Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to abort the landing after the airplane contacted the runway. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the landing gear was extended during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 2005 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- West Chester, Pennsylvania · Brandywine Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301s on the register
- Registration
- N9285R · no longer on the register · serial 3246065
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the approach to landing at the destination airport, the airplane was observed on the final approach to the runway with the flaps fully extended, and the landing gear in the retracted position. During the landing, the flaps and the cabin entry step dragged on the runway pavement. The airplane's engine power then increased, and as the nose of the airplane pitched downward, the propeller contacted the runway. The airplane then climbed, banked left, and struck several trees located about 500 feet prior to the departure end of the runway. The airplane continued to climb, but subsequently descended into trees located about 1/2 mile from the airport, in a nose up attitude, and with the landing gear extended. Examination of the airplane following the accident revealed no evidence of any pre-impact malfunction or failure. Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, was detected in the pilot's blood consistent with recent ingestion. In typical doses, this medication commonly results in drowsiness, and has measurable effects on performance of complex cognitive and motor tasks.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 536.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 3,615 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SFZ Pawtucket RI at 12:15 pm
- Destination: N99 West Chester PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,347 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from PTW, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.