# NTSB CEN20CA117: Piper PA28-180, N7525W, Eolia, MO, March 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 8, 2020, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Eolia, MO - Coordinates: 39.212776, -90.917221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2128&lon=-90.9172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101059/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101059 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing at his private airstrip and that the wind was strong and gusting. During the landing flare, the airplane bounced and then veered left. The airplane departed the runway, and the left wing struck a tree and separated, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was returning to land at his private airstrip after a local flight. He stated that the wind was strong and gusty. During the landing flare the airplane bounced and the pilot lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the runway to the left; the left wing struck a tree and separated resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would preclude normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7525W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7525W-2020-05-05), registration cancelled 2020-05-05, S/N 28-1443, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-1443 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3200.94 - Engines: Lycoming O-360A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 2019 - Departed: MO35, Eolia, MO - Destination: MO35, Eolia, MO - Airport: MO35, Harvey, runway 18, 1,500 × 60 ft - Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,407 total, 1,390 in this make and model, 1,386 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: STL, 37 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 20200308000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200308000429A), Mar 8, 2020: Piper PA-28-180, Eolia, MO, Substantial damage. While landing to the south on rwy 18, at Harvey Airport MO35, aircraft N7525W made a hard landing and bounced. After the bounce, a gust of wind caused pilot to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101059. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 729 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482626&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.