# NTSB CEN11CA284: Piper PA38, N107WC, Peyton, CO, April 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2011, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Peyton, CO - Coordinates: 38.940555, -104.568611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9406&lon=-104.5686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA284 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing the airplane encountered gusty wind and drifted to the left. He attempted to go-around by applying full power, but the airplane veered to the left, exited the runway, struck terrain, and nosed over. The airplane's left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing the airplane encountered gusty winds and began to drift to the left. The pilot applied full power in an attempt to do a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer to the left. The airplane went off the left side of the runway, struck terrain, and nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane's left wing and fuselage were substantially damage during the accident. The winds at the airport around the time of the accident were headwinds at 8 gusting to 14 knots. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N107WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N107WC-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 3878A0261, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA38 (112) - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3878A0261 - Airframe hours: 4268 - Engines: LYCOMING O235 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2010, 95 hours before - Departed: FLY, Peyton, CO - Destination: FLY, Peyton, CO - Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake Airport, runway 33, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 2,222 total, 382 in this make and model, 2,190 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KFLY ## 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 20110413005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110413005949A), Apr 13, 2011: Piper PA-38-112, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. On 04/13/2011 at approximately 1200 local, N107WC a PA-38 airplane crashed upon landing at Meadow Lake Airport, Colorado. One sole aboard, no injury. Airplane… ## Other investigations on N107WC (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC80DER22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DER22), Jan 13, 1980: Piper PA-38 (N107WC), Fergus Falls, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78870. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1- (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1--Redacted.PDF - Weather Information and Notams for KFLY Airport (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information%20and%20Notams%20for%20KFLY%20Airport-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.