# NTSB CEN13CA247: Piper PA-28-180, N7780N, Owatonna, MN, April 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2013, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Owatonna, MN - Coordinates: 44.122776, -93.258888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1228&lon=-93.2589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Minneapolis Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 86777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86777/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86777 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA247 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during an aborted landing. ## 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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the he was conducting practice instrument approaches under visual flight rules with a safety pilot at the time of the accident. After the fourth approach, they elected to land the airplane. The safety pilot assumed control of the airplane so that the pilot could prepare for landing. The airplane ended up on a “very close-in base leg” that resulted in the airplane being high on final approach. The pilot took control of the airplane from the safety pilot and elected to continue the landing. The pilot reported that the conditions, including a right crosswind, resulted in the airplane touching down on the left side of the runway. The pilot elected to execute a go-around and applied full engine power. The airplane subsequently made an unintended left turn and impacted the grassy area adjacent to the runway, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. In addition, postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the he was conducting practice instrument approaches under visual flight rules with a safety pilot at the time of the accident. After the fourth approach, they elected to land instead of conducting an instrument approach. The safety pilot assumed control of the airplane so that the pilot could prepare for landing. The airplane ended up on a “very close-in base leg” that resulted in the airplane being high on final approach. The pilot took control of the airplane from the safety pilot and elected to continue the landing. The pilot reported that the conditions, including a strong right crosswind, resulted in the airplane touching down on the left side of the runway. The pilot elected to execute a go-around and applied full engine power. The airplane did not respond as expected and it made an unintended left turn, subsequently impacting the ground in the grass area adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. In addition, a postaccident examination conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7780N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7780N-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 28-5228, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-5228 - Airframe hours: 4670 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 2012 - Departed: LVN, Minneapolis, MN - Destination: OWA, Owatonna, MN - Airport: OWA, Owatonna Degner Regional, runway 12, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,432 total, 1,415 in this make and model - Other flight crew; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 16, 2013; seat: right; flight hours: 186 total, 0 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: OWA ## 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 20130427006419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130427006419A), Apr 27, 2013: Piper PA-28-180, Owatonna, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot had been practicing instrument approaches at kfbl and kowa with a safety pilot in the right seat of the aircraft. While nearing kowa on one of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86777. 575 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Safety Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Safety%20Pilot%20Statement-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.