# NTSB CEN23LA089: Piper PA-28-140, N5610U, San Antonio, TX, January 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 20, 2023, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.739, -98.451 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7390&lon=-98.4510&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106621/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106621 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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; 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that she and her student pilot were practicing landings on runway 34. The instructor stated that the student pilot compensated for a crosswind out of the east. The student reported that she compensated with right aileron and left rudder; however, upon touchdown and landing roll-out, she did not release the left rudder pressure and the airplane began to veer to the left. The instructor attempted to correct the deviation and bring the airplane back to runway centerline, but the airplane impacted a ditch on the side of the runway and flipped over. Both wings and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5610U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5610U), registered now, S/N 28-26540, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - 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: 28-26540 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2535 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Anderson Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Anderson Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, January 17, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 1TT8, Bulverde, runway 34, 2,890 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 614 total, 499 in this make and model, 88 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 55 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KSAT, 12 nm away - METAR: KSAT 201451Z 06006KT 10SM OVC060 13/M01 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP215 T01331011 51020 ## 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 20230120000319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230120000319A), Jan 20, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Bulverde, TX, Substantial damage. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft swerved off the runway into the grass running along the east side of the asphalt. The aircraft was skidding in the dirt… ## Other investigations on N5610U (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC70DDM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70DDM02), Jan 7, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N5610U), St.Cloud, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106621. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15221149&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 910 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15228284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Rel.pdf - Student pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15228044&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Ruiz%20Statement_master-Rel.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.