Piper PA-28R-200 accident near West Kingston, Rhode Island, August 2, 2008
On August 2, 2008 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registered N56064, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near West Kingston, Rhode Island. 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 misjudgment of speed and altitude while maneuvering to land during an emergency descent. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2008 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- West Kingston, Rhode Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N56064 · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7335345
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet when he noted an airframe vibration. When he pushed the throttle full forward, the manifold pressure and engine rpm increased, and the vibration increased. He then leaned the mixture and the vibration seemed to decrease. The airplane would not climb, and started a descent. The pilot selected the nearest airport and proceeded to the airport to make a precautionary landing. The pilot initiated a visual approach to the 2,129-foot long runway. He realized the airplane was high and fast, and he then completed a go-around. He remained in closed traffic and was looking for available forced landing areas. The pilot turned on final approach again, but then he decided to abort the approach and land gear-up in a sod field. Examination of the engine assembly revealed the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve pushrod would only move .125 inch. The cylinder exhibited heavy carbon build up on the upper and lower spark plugs. No other anomalies were noted.
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 engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR go-around)
- Landing gear not configured during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 219 hours in all; 64 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 94 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,680 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2008; 2.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFZ Pawtucket RI at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from OQU, 11 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.