# NTSB CEN13CA279: Piper PA-28-140, N1818J, Meriden, KS, May 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2013, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Meriden, KS - Coordinates: 39.158332, -95.591667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1583&lon=-95.5917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot electing to land at an airport with a runway environment that precluded a go-around with the tailwind weather conditions present which resulted in a runway excursion during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis A tailwind condition existed at the destination airport and the pilot reported that a strong gust of wind occurred on short final, which pushed the airplane a few hundred feet down the runway. He said that the gust occurred after the decision point for a go-around because of power lines at the other end of the runway. A landing was attempted. The airplane exited the end of the runway, crossed a ditch, and came to rest on a street near the runway. Substantial spar damage occurred during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight. Canceling "the flight altogether because of weather" was a safety recommendation made by the pilot. ## Factual narrative A tailwind condition existed at the destination airport and the pilot reported that a strong gust of wind occurred on short final, which pushed the airplane a few hundred feet down the runway. He said that the gust occurred after the decision point for a go-around because of power lines at the other end of the runway. A landing was attempted. The airplane exited the end of the runway, crossed a ditch, and came to rest on a street near the runway. Substantial spar damage occurred during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight. Canceling "the flight altogether because of weather" was a safety recommendation made by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1818J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1818J), registered now, S/N 28-24248, built 1968 (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: 28-24248 - Airframe hours: 4907 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Davey Richard A - Registered owner: Davey Richard A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2012 - Departed: TOP, Topeka, KS - Destination: 81KS, Meriden, KS - Airport: 81KS, Blackhawk Airport, runway 01, 1,700 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 17, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 59 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: TOP ## 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 20130513008899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130513008899A), May 13, 2013: Piper PA-28-140, Meriden, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting a landing on runway 01 at 81KS with a wind at 170/12 and pilot stated a wind gust pushed the aircraft several hundred feet further down… ## Other investigations on N1818J (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 MKC69F0323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0323), Jan 11, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N1818J), Omaha, NE, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86901. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.