# NTSB CEN09CA109: Piper PA28, N845D, Ely, MN, December 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 17, 2008, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Ely, MN - Coordinates: 47.824443, -91.830558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8244&lon=-91.8306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident were the reduced left main landing gear wheel rotation for undetermined reasons and the snow-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis About 5 minutes after takeoff, the airplane's cabin door opened about 1/4 inch. The pilot returned and landed on runway 30, which was snow-covered. The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, he noticed the airplane pulling "slightly" to the left, which he attributed to a stuck left main landing gear wheel. He applied right rudder to keep the airplane on the runway centerline, but as the airplane slowed it pulled more to the left. The pilot stated that he did not reduce or shut down engine power but instead used 1,200 rpm in an attempt to increase rudder effectiveness. He also did not use right brake to maintain directional control. The airplane impacted a snow bank, damaging the right wing tip and outboard section of the wing. The pilot reported that the left wheel plowed through the snow on the runway and did not rotate during the landing. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. ## Factual narrative The pilot had flown his airplane into the departure airport earlier in the day. The airplane was placed into a hangar where the pilot later returned to preflight the airplane. The 1453 winds at the airport were from 260 degrees at 5 knots. Following the preflight, he started the airplane in the hangar and taxied to runway 30 (5,600 feet by 100 feet), which was covered with 1 inch of snow. The rudder pedals steered the airplane normally during the taxi to the runway. About 5 minutes after takeoff the cabin door opened about 1/4 inch. The pilot returned and landed on runway 30, which was still snow covered. The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, he noticed the airplane pulling "slightly" to the left, which he attributed to a stuck left main landing gear wheel. He applied right rudder to keep the airplane on the runway centerline, but as the airplane slowed, it pulled more to the left. The pilot stated that he did not reduce or shut down engine power but instead used 1,200 rpm in an attempt to increase rudder effectiveness. He also did not use right brake to maintain directional control. The airplane impacted a snow bank damaging the right wing tip and outboard section of the wing. The outboard section of the right wing exhibited a deformation of the upper wing skin, which was orientated about 45 degrees relative to the wing span axis. The airplane was equipped with landing gear wheel fairings. The pilot reported that the left wheel plowed through the snow on the runway and did not rotate during the landing. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N845D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N845D), registered now, S/N 28-8211029, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (236) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8211029 - Airframe hours: 2864 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2008 - Departed: ELO, Ely, MN - Destination: FCM, Eden Prairie, MN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ELO, Ely Municipal Airport, runway 30, 5,600 × 100 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 65 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 5 °F, dew point -9 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ELO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081217854869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081217854869A), Dec 17, 2008: Piper PA28236, Ely, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot returned to Ely, MN. After takeoff due to door latch problem. On landing, left brake was frozen causing impact with snowbank along runway. 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.