# NTSB CEN11LA426: Piper PA-28-140, N6980W, New Philadelphia, OH, June 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2011, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: New Philadelphia, OH - Coordinates: 40.470275, -81.419998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4703&lon=-81.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 23, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA426 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80921/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA426 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect identification of the wind direction before landing, which resulted in a tailwind landing and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before entering the traffic pattern, he observed that the airport's windsock was limp and that, based on that information, he decided land to the southeast. He stated that, while on final approach, he encountered a strong wind gust that resulted in the airplane touching down past the touchdown zone. He noted that the airplane was too far down the runway to safely abort the landing, so he elected to steer the airplane into a field located off the right side of the runway, and the left wing collided with an electrical service box. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest between 7 and 11 knots during the previous three hours. The pilot's description of the airplane floating past the desired touchdown zone, which resulted in insufficient runway for the landing roll, was consistent with an attempted tailwind landing. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 2011, at 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper model PA-28-140 airplane, N6980W, was substantially damaged while landing at Harry Clever Field Airport (KPHD), New Philadelphia, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The flight departed Parr Airport (42I), Zanesville, Ohio, at 1720. The pilot reported that before entering the traffic pattern he observed the airport's windsock to be "limp/down" and that based on that information he decided land on runway 14. He stated that while on final approach he encountered a strong wind gust that resulted in the airplane touching down past the touchdown zone. He noted that the airplane was too far down the runway to safely abort the landing, so he elected to steer the airplane into a field located off the right side of the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged when it collided with an electrical service box during the runway excursion. A postaccident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. At 1753, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 350 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; an overcast ceiling at 6,000 feet above ground level; temperature 21 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.96 inches of mercury. A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest between 7 and 11 knots during the previous three hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6980W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6980W-2012-10-23), registration cancelled 2012-10-23, S/N 28-21178, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - 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: 28-21178 - Airframe hours: 4205 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2010 - Departed: 42I, Zanesville, OH - Destination: KPHD, New Philadelphia, OH - Airport: KPHD, Harry Clever Field Airport, runway 14, 3,951 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 63 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPHD ## Other investigations on N6980W (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 DEN66F0214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0214), Jan 23, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N6980W), Colo.Springs, CO, substantial damage 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.