# NTSB CEN12CA503: Piper PA-16, N6834K, Keokuk, IA, July 29, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2012, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Keokuk, IA - Coordinates: 40.45972, -91.428611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4597&lon=-91.4286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA503 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA503 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll in a variable crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 4,585 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-16, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the airplane approached the destination airport, the pilot monitored the airport’s automated weather reporting station. The pilot stated that the airport’s reported wind changed from 160 degrees at 7 knots, to 200 degrees at 9 knots, and then to 180 degrees at 8 knots as they got closer to the airport. The pilot added that he initially planned to land on runway 26, but, upon circling the airport, he noted that the windsock favored runway 8. During the landing roll on runway 8, the airplane’s right wing lifted. The pilot stated that he was unable to lower the wing, and the airplane veered right and continued off the side of the runway. The airplane came rest in the grass with substantial damage to the fuselage just forward of the empennage. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot and two passengers departed on a cross-country flight. As they approached their destination airport, the pilot monitored the airport’s automated weather reporting station. The pilot stated the airport’s wind condition changed from 160 degrees at 7 knots, to 200 degrees at 9 knots, and then to 180 degrees at 8 knots, as they got closer to the airport. The pilot added that he made his initial approach to runway 26, but upon circling the airport, the windsock favored runway 8. During the landing roll, the airplane’s right wing lifted. The pilot stated he was unable to lower the wing, the airplane veered right, and continued off the side of runway 8. The airplane came rest in the grass, with substantial damage to the fuselage, just forward of the empennage. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6834K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6834K), registered now, S/N 16-669 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16 - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (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: 16-669 - Airframe hours: 2538 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Willis Clifton L - Registered owner: Willis Clifton L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2011 - Departed: KOSH, Oshkosh, WI - Destination: KEOK, Keokuk, IA - Airport: KEOK, Keokuk Municipal Airport, runway 08, 3,600 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 377 total, 21 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KEOK ## 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 20120729016559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120729016559A), Jul 29, 2012: Piper PA-16, Keokuk, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot indicated the initial 3 point landing was good. On roll out right wing lifted, control input to lower right wing ineffective, aircraft swerved,veered… 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.