# NTSB CEN13CA407: Piper PA-28R-200, N5003S, Weslaco, TX, July 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2013, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Weslaco, TX - Coordinates: 26.177499, -97.973052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1775&lon=-97.9731&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA407 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87463/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87463 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA407 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction failed to compensate for the crosswind condition during landing, and the flight instructor's delayed corrective action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102811), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction was attempting to perform a soft field landing on runway 31 during the second landing of the flight. The flight instructor reported that the wind was from 160 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane was “getting pushed” off centerline. The flight instructor informed the pilot receiving instruction to put in full power and do a go-around. The airplane’s nose wheel struck a light generator on the side of the runway causing the airplane to skid across the taxiway and into the grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The flight instructor reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction was attempting to perform a soft field landing on runway 31 during the second landing of the flight. The flight instructor reported that the wind was from 160 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane was “getting pushed” off centerline. The flight instructor informed the pilot receiving instruction to put in full power and do a go-around. The airplane’s nose wheel struck a light generator on the side of the runway causing the airplane to skid across the taxiway and into the grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The flight instructor reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5003S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5003S-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N 28R-35727, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-35727 - Airframe hours: 16105 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360-CIC 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Praat Air Services Inc - Registered owner: Praat Air Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2013 - Departed: T65, Weslaco, TX - Destination: T65, Weslaco, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: T65, Mid-Valley Airport, runway 31, 4,998 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 915 total, 60 in this make and model, 865 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review October 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 20 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 97 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg ## 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 20130711019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130711019499A), Jul 11, 2013: Piper PA-28R-200, Weslico, TX, Substantial damage. While pilot was practicing soft field landings (for commercial rating)just prior to touchdown aircraft veered to the left side of runway instructor pilot took… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87463. 844 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397816&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.