# NTSB CEN10CA118: Piper PA-28-235, N8946W, Connersville, IN, February 11, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2010, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Connersville, IN - Coordinates: 39.698612, -85.129722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6986&lon=-85.1297&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on an ice- and slush-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-28-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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-28-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during a landing attempt on an ice- and slush-covered runway. The pilot reported that shortly after touchdown the airplane began veering toward the left side of the runway. He was unable to correct for the airplane's left swerve and it subsequently impacted a snowbank situated alongside the runway. The left wing's main and aft spars were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred during a landing attempt on an ice and slush covered runway. The pilot reported that shortly after touchdown the airplane began veering toward the left side of the runway. He was unable to correct for the airplane's left swerve and it subsequently impacted a snowbank situated alongside the runway. The left wing's main and aft spars were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8946W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8946W), registered now, S/N 28-10517, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10517 - Airframe hours: 2279 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2009 - Departed: KDCY, Washington, IN - Destination: KCEV, Connersville, IN - Airport: KCEV, Mettel Field Airport, runway 18, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 139 total, 27 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KCEV ## 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 20100211027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100211027719A), Feb 11, 2010: Piper PA-28-235, Connersville, IN, Substantial damage. On the morning of 11 February, the pilot had flown from the frankfort municipal airport (kfkr) to the daviess county airport (kdcy) prior to flying to the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75358. 415 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.