# NTSB CEN14LA245: Piper PA 28-181, N9631C, Yuma, CO, May 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2014, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Yuma, CO - Coordinates: 40.104167, -102.713058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1042&lon=-102.7131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89234/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89234 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after the airplane encountered a wind gust during takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot inadvertently using a runway that resulted in a gusty tailwind condition. ## 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-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after referencing the airport windsock, which indicated a variable and gusty wind condition, he decided to takeoff on runway 16. The airplane was on takeoff roll when, before achieving liftoff, it encountered a wind gust that raised the right wing. The pilot was unable to correct for the wind gust before the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage ditch. He reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of wind data readings, taken during the hour before the accident, established that the wind direction and speed had been from the north at 13-15 knots with recorded wind gusts between 20-26 knots. Additionally, the wind speed had increased throughout the same time period. The use of runway 16 would have resulted in a tailwind condition and an increased ground speed required to achieve a normal liftoff. The higher ground speed likely contributed to the pilot's inability to maintain directional control after the airplane encountered the wind gust. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2014, about 0930 mountain daylight time, a Piper model PA-28-180 airplane, N9631C, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff at Yuma Municipal Airport (2V6), Yuma, Colorado. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Heartland Aviation Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the student solo cross-country flight that was destined for Alliance Municipal Airport (AIA), Alliance, Nebraska.The student pilot reported that after referencing the airport windsock, which indicated a variable and gusty wind condition, he decided to takeoff on runway 16 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete). He stated that before achieving liftoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust that raised the right wing. He was unable to correct for the wind gust before the airplane departed the left side of the runway and descended into a drainage ditch. The airplane lower forward fuselage and engine mount sustained substantial damage when the nose gear collapsed. He reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At 0932, a local weather station, located in Yuma, Colorado, reported the wind direction was from 001 degrees at 18 knots, with 26 knot wind gusts. A review of wind data readings, taken during the hour before the accident, established that the wind direction and speed had been from the north at 13-15 knots with recorded wind gusts between 20-26 knots. Additionally, the wind speed had increased throughout the same time period. The nearest aviation weather reporting station was at the Wray Municipal Airport (2V5), located about 25 miles east of the accident site. At 0935, the 2V5 weather observing system reported: wind from 340 degrees at 18 knots, gusting 24 knots; 10 miles visibility; clear sky conditions; temperature 23 degrees Celsius; dew point 10 degrees Celsius; and an altimeter setting of 29.70 inches-of-mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9631C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9631C), registered now, S/N 28-7890431, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-181 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7890431 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3658 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Heartland Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Heartland Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2013, 90 hours before - Departed: 2V6, Yuma, CO - Destination: AIA, Alliance, NE - Airport: 2V6, Yuma Municipal Airport, runway 16, 4,200 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 28 total, 10 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 18 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: 2V5, 25 nm away ## 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 20140519007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140519007479A), May 19, 2014: Piper PA-28-181, Yuma, CO, Substantial damage. 5/19/2014, At approximately 0930 MST, during departure roll from rwy 16, pilot experienced strong winds, pilot attempted to abort take off, aircraft N9631C,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89234. 954 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 664 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation - Brian Jelinek, Student Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Brian%20Jelinek,%20Student%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Email Correspondence with Student Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20with%20Student%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.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.