# NTSB CEN15LA062: Piper PA 28R-201T, N533MC, Addison, TX, November 30, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 30, 2014, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Addison, TX - Coordinates: 32.968612, -96.836387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9686&lon=-96.8364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90441/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90441 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a hard landing adjacent to the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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-28R-201T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Indicating/recording systems: instrument panel ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023110/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, just before touchdown while conducting a personal flight, the airplane encountered a wind gust that pushed it sideways toward the grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane subsequently landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The weather conditions reported at the airport included wind from 50 degrees left of the runway heading at 9 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the flight control system. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airplane control while landing with a gusting crosswind. The pilot reported that, during the cruise portion of the flight, smoke entered the cockpit from behind the instrument panel. He said that opening the vent window cleared the smoke in the cockpit and that his vision was not obstructed during the landing. Examination of the instrument panel revealed that three of the four screws that secure the right rear rocker panel cover were missing and that oil was leaking onto the engine's exhaust. ## Factual narrative On November 30, 2014, about 1740 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201T, N533MC, was damaged during a hard landing at the Addison Airport, near Dallas, Texas. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane incurred damage to the wings and fuselage. The aircraft was registered to Metroplex Flight Services, LLC. and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Eppley Airfield, Omaha, Nebraska about 1700.The pilot reported that during landing, a gust of wind encountered just prior to touchdown pushed the airplane sideways into the grass adjacent to the 100- foot wide runway. The airplane subsequently landed hard and received substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The weather conditions reported at the accident airport included wind from 50 degrees left of runway heading at 9 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported no abnormalities with regard to the flight control system of the airplane. The pilot reported that during the cruise portion of the flight, smoke was entering the cockpit from behind the instrument panel. He reported that he opened the vent window and the smoke cleared and that there was no obstruction to vision during the landing. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that three of the four screws attaching the valve cover on the right rear cylinder were missing. Evidence of oil leaking from the valve cover onto the exhaust was evident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N533MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533MC-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 28R-7703183, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R-201T (201T) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7703183 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Private - Registered owner: Metroplex Flight Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OMA, Omaha, NE - Destination: ADS, Addison, TX - Airport: ADS, Addison, runway 15, 7,203 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 130 total, 9 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: ADS ## 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 20141130022449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141130022449A), Nov 30, 2014: Piper PA-28R-201T, Addison, TX, Substantial damage. On November 30, 2014, about 1640 central standard time, the pilot of a Piper arrow PA-28, N533MC, departed the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90441. 106 KB in all. - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FSDO Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FSDO%20Inspector-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.