# NTSB CEN19LA125: Piper PA-28R-200, N40956, St. Cloud, MN, April 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2019, 09:46 local (14:46 UTC) - Place: St. Cloud, MN - Coordinates: 45.548053, -94.069725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5481&lon=-94.0697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Lead agency: Other - Parties: Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99296/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99296 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to land in crosswind conditions given his lack of recent experience in those conditions. ## 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-28R-200, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); 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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that the airplane operated normally during the personal flight. He stated that before touchdown at the destination airport, he applied left rudder and had the right wing down into the wind to counter the crosswinds and maintain the center line of the runway. At touchdown, he held the control yoke to the right and was applying the brakes; however, the airplane veered left and exited the runway. The airplane traveled about 50 ft into the grass, and the right main landing gear collapsed; the right wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity. The airplane was equipped with an engine monitoring system, and data indicated that the engine and propeller operated normally during the flight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather at the destination airport about 1 hour before the accident was wind from 180° at 13 knots gusting to 20 knots; the automated weather report that the pilot received en route was similar. The crosswind component was within the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for this airplane; however, the pilot stated, "Looking back, I should have never gone up with crosswinds that high, with little to no practice in crosswinds logged in the last 30, 60, [or] 90 days." Thus, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on 12/11/2019. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** On April 20, 2019, about 0946 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, veered off the left side of runway 13 during landing at the St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC), St. Cloud, Minnesota. The pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was owned and operated by the Blue Sky Benefit Solutions, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, which was not operating under a flight plan. The flight departed the Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Sauk Centre, Minnesota, about 0914 with STC as the destination. The pilot reported that the accident flight was the first flight after the airplane had undergone an annual maintenance inspection. The pilot reported that the airplane operated normally during the flight and he planned to land on runway 13 (7,500 ft by 150, asphalt) at STC. The approach and descent rate were stable as he "crabbed" the airplane into the wind to compensate for the right crosswind. He selected 25° of flaps when the indicated airspeed was 80 kts. He stated that before touchdown, he applied left rudder and had the right wing down into the wind to counter the crosswinds and to maintain the center line of the runway. At touchdown, he had the control yoke to the right and was applying the brakes; however, the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. The airplane traveled about 50 ft into the grass when the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wing. The examination of the flight controls confirmed flight control continuity from the flight controls to the control surfaces. The airplane was equipped with an engine monitoring system. The data was downloaded, and the data indicated that the engine and propeller operated normally during the flight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated, "Looking back, I should have never gone up with crosswinds that high, with little to no practice in crosswinds logged in the last 30, 60, [or] 90 days." At 0853, the surface weather observation at STC, was wind 180° at 13 knots gusting to 20 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 12° C; dew point -1° C; and altimeter 29.78 inches of mercury. The pilot reported that before departing D39, the weather briefing at D39 was sky clear, wind 180° at 9 knots. About 30 nautical miles out from STC, the pilot received the automated weather from STC, which was sky clear, wind 180° at 12 to 20 knots. According to the airplane manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for this make/model airplane is 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40956](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40956-2019-09-10), registration cancelled 2019-09-10, S/N 28R-7435144, built 1973 (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-7435144 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4195.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-380-C1C 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2019, 0 hours before - Departed: D39, Sauk Centre, MN - Destination: STC, St. Cloud, MN - Airport: STC, St. Cloud Regional Airport, runway 13, 7,500 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, Data recorder, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 368 total, 317 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: STC ## 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 20190420003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190420003119A), Apr 20, 2019: Piper PA-28R-200, St. Cloud, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was returning from sauk centre airport (D39) after annual inspection on aircraft. Pilot was cleared for 3 mile final for runway 13 at saint Cloud (STC)… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99296. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Diagram-Master.PDF - JPI Flight Data (item 3, .CSV, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475466&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=JPI%20Flight%20Data-Master.csv - Pilot's Flight Time Summary (item 4, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Flight%20Time%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo Log (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Log-Master.PDF - Revised NTSB Factual Report (item 6, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Revised%20NTSB%20Factual%20Report-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.