# NTSB ATL06CA081: Piper PA28-140, N9902W, Murfreesboro, TN, May 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2006, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Coordinates: 35.877223, -86.377502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8772&lon=-86.3775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Nashville FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 63709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA081 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he departed Smyrna, Tennessee, and flew direct to Murphreesboro, Tennessee. Upon arrival he listened to the Airport Terminal Information System information and observed the wind sock which indicated a right crosswind. The student pilot overflew the airport at midfield, descended, entered left traffic for runway 18, completed the before landing checklist, lowered flaps to one notch, and turned on the base leg. The student pilot turned the airplane on final approach, reduced airspeed, lowered flaps to the second notch, and entered right aileron for the crosswind correction. The power was reduced 30 feet from his intended touchdown point. The airplane touched down on the runway, and the cross wind correction was removed on landing roll out. The airplane veered to the right, the student pilot applied left rudder, and lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane turned 90-degrees, slid sideways off the side of the runway, and collided with a ditch coming to a complete stop. The student pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident, and he just lost directional control of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2006, at 1040 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-140, N9902W, registered to and operated by Maxair Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a ditch on landing roll out at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murphreesboro, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Smyrna Airport, Smyrna, Tennessee, on May 18, 2006, at 1025. The student pilot stated he departed Smyrna and flew direct to Murphreesboro. Upon arrival he listened to the Airport Terminal Information System information and observed the wind sock which indicated a right crosswind. The student pilot over flew the airport at midfield, descended, entered left traffic for runway 18, completed the before landing checklist, lowered flaps to one notch, and turned on the base leg. The student pilot turned the airplane on final approach, reduced airspeed, lowered flaps to the second notch, and entered right aileron for the crosswind correction. The power was reduced 30 feet from his intended touch down point. The airplane touched down on the runway, and the cross wind correction was removed on landing roll out. The airplane veered to the right, the student pilot applied left rudder, and lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane turned 90-degrees, slide sideways off the side of the runway, and collided with a ditch coming to a complete stop. The student pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident, and he just lost directional control of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9902W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9902W), registered now, S/N 28-23422, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23422 - Airframe hours: 4095 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Maxair Inc. - Registered owner: Maxair Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2006, 64 hours before - Departed: KMQY, Smyrna, TN - Destination: KMBT, Murphreesboro, TN - Airport: KMBT, Murphreesboro Municipal, runway 18, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 28 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KMQY, 10 nm away From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.