# NTSB CEN23LA141: Piper PA-28-161, N9088D, Maple Lake, MN, March 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 19, 2023, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Maple Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.235937, -93.984848 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2359&lon=-93.9848&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106920/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106920 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA141 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting crosswind. ## 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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102803), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during landing the airplane “dipped steeply to the right” due to a gusting wind. The student pilot corrected for the dip by applying left aileron and power before touching down on the ice-covered runway. After touchdown, the airplane skidded to the left with the nose pointed to the right and departed the runway. Upon departing the runway, the nose landing gear dug into the snow which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the student pilot was landing with an 80° right crosswind at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9088D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9088D), registered now, S/N 28-8616049, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8616049 - Year built: 1986 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Metro Aircraft Co - Registered owner: Metro Aircraft Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FCM, Eden Prairie, MN - Destination: MGG, Maple Lake, MN - Airport: MGG, Maple Lake Muni-Bill Mavencamp Sr Fld, runway 10, 2,796 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 74 total, 74 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KMGG - METAR: METAR KMGG 191715Z AUTO 18009G14KT 10SM CLR M04/M14 A3009 RMK AO2 T10401141= ## 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 20230319007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230319007069A), Mar 19, 2023: Piper PA-28-161, Maple Lake, MN, Substantial damage. The student pilot (PIC) departed kfcm, after switching aircraft two times,with a destination of kmgg for the purpose of taking a private pilot practical test.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106920. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15315601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15315445&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.