# NTSB CEN10CA547: Piper PA-28-161, N436ND, Houma, LA, September 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 19, 2010, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Houma, LA - Coordinates: 29.566389, -90.660278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5664&lon=-90.6603&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 5, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA547 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA547 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the crosswind while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## 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-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind and the pilot experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane departed off the side of the runway and the left wing collided with a runway sign, resulting in substantial damage to the leading edge of the wing. The airport's weather reporting station reported that at the time of the accident there was a crosswind of 8 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative While performing a touch-and-go landing to runway 18, a 6,508 foot long by 150 foot wide runway, the airplane encountered a crosswind. The private pilot lost control of the airplane and the airplane departed the side of the runway. The airplane's left wing collided with a runway distance remaining marker resulting in substantial damaged to the leading edge of the wing. The pilot did not report any known malfunction or mechanical failure prior to the impact. The airport's weather reporting station reported winds from 070 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N436ND](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N436ND), registered now, S/N 2842213, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2842213 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fly By Knight Inc - Registered owner: Fly By Knight Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KHDC, HAMMOND, LA - Destination: KHDC, HAMMOND, LA - Airport: KHUM, Houma Terrabonne, runway 18, 6,508 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KHUM ## 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 20100919046799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100919046799A), Sep 19, 2010: Piper PA-28-161, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot in command flew solo to khum. Pilot received a weather report showing clear weather and calm winds. Pilot requested and received clearance to perform… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77339. 14 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.