# NTSB CEN19LA150: Piper PA28, N1568J, McKinney, TX, May 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 23, 2019, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: McKinney, TX - Coordinates: 33.204444, -96.746665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2044&lon=-96.7467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Piper Aircraft, Inc, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 99472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99472/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99472 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger conducted a local flight before returning to the airport for landing on runway 17. The pilot reported that the approach was smooth and normal, but as the airplane was about to touch down, it was "pushed down hard to the surface and quickly sucked back up." She applied engine power for a go-around, and as the airplane gained altitude, a gust of wind occurred; the airplane subsequently impacted a storage facility and a home just west of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of weather reports from a nearby airport about the time of the accident revealed wind from 140° at 11 knots gusting to 23 knots. Another weather station recorded wind from 140° at 16 knots gusting to 29 knots. Based on the available information, the accident was consistent with the pilot's loss of control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2019, about 1710 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1568J, impacted a residential house during a go-around attempt at the Aero Country Airport (T31), McKinney, Texas. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries and a child in the residence received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local flight departed T31 about 1610. The pilot reported that she planned on a 40-minute local flight, and they departed runway 17 with no problems. She reported the winds were from 160° to 165°. When they returned, she entered the left downwind for runway 17; selecting the first or second notch of flaps as she turned from base to the final leg. The windsock still showed the wind from about 160°, and she added that nothing felt any different than the departure. She said she had done five take-off and landings the two previous days without any problems, and the wind was stronger then. She said the descent remained smooth and normal, and as they were about to touch down, they were "pushed down hard to the surface and quickly sucked back up." She advanced the throttle for a go-around and as they gained altitude, the airplane was hit with a gust of wind from the east. The pilot added that one moment they were heading 170°, and the next they were heading 290°. She added that she was unable to recover the altitude or turn the airplane back to the south. The airplane impacted a storage facility and a house on the west side of the airport. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage, including the cabin area, and both wings. The right wing's fuel tank was breached during the accident, and about 13 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left-wing fuel tank. There was not a post-crash fire. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane during the accident flight. One witness reported that the wind was out of the south about 25 knots. The witness observed the airplane bounce, then bounce again, before power was applied for a go-around. He added that it looked like the airplane was being "bounced around pretty good", as the airplane slowly climbed then veered right. The airplane descended as it disappeared behind a hangar. The pilot rated passenger, after she was released from the hospital, was unable to remember any details of the flight. At 1653, the automated weather reporting station at the McKinney National Airport (TKI), located 8 miles east of T31, recorded wind 140° at 11 knots and gusting to 23 knots. At 1651, the automated weather reporting station at the Addison Airport (ADS), located 15 miles south of T31, recorded wind 140° at 16 knots and gusting to 29 knots. The airplanewreckage was recovered from the site and transported to a salvage facility where the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigator-in-Charge, the FAA inspector, and technical representatives from the engine and airframe manufacturers conducted an examination. For transport purposes, the fuselage was cut just aft of the cabin area, and both wings, and engine were separated. Control continuity from the control column to the control surfaces was limited due to impact damage to the front panel/cabin area and fuselage/wing damage. However, control connections were observed, and no pre-impact discrepancies were noted with control continuity. The flap handle located between the two front seats was found in the first notch position. The airplane's emergency locator transmitter, located in the aft section of the fuselage, was found in the "off" position. According to the pilot's completed NTSB Accident Report Form 6120, the last annual inspection was completed on November 11, 2018. The oil filter was dated November 5, 2018, at a tachometer time of 1,851.41 hours. At the time of the examination, the tachometer showed 1,857.06 hours. The engine was placed inverted on a rolling stand with the nose wheel landing gear and the engine mount remained attached to the engine. The two-bladed fixed pitch propeller was impact separated from the crankshaft flange. The engine was rotated by hand using a turning tool inserted into the vacuum pump pad. Thumb suction and compression were noted, and valve train continuity was verified at all cylinders. The oil filter was cut open and examined, no contaminants were observed. Both magnetos were rotated by hand and spark was observed at each ignition terminal. The carburetor was disassembled, and no defects were noted. The inlet fuel screen, damaged during the accident sequence, was removed and examined and absent contaminants. The examination did not identify any pre-impact abnormalities with the engine or airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1568J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1568J-2020-07-23), registration cancelled 2020-07-23, S/N 28-23973, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (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: 28-23973 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5083.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2A reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2018 - Departed: T31, McKinney, TX - Destination: T31, McKinney, TX - Airport: T31, Aero Country Airport, runway 17, 4,352 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 818.7 total, 533.5 in this make and model, 657.2 as pilot in command, 4.5 in the last 90 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 20; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KTKI ## 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 20190523023709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190523023709A), May 23, 2019: Piper PA-28-140, Mckinney, TX, Destroyed. On 05/23/2019 around 1710 CDT N1568J, while on a part 91 flight, during landing, attempted a go-around, during which the aircraft lost control on climb out and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99472. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 541 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.