# NTSB CHI05CA168: Piper PA-32-300, Minneapolis, MN, July 4, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2005, 11:36 local (16:36 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.82722, -93.457221
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8272&lon=-93.4572&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis, MN FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA168

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control.  Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind and the taxiway sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane collided with a taxiway sign while landing on runway 28L.  The pilot stated that as he approached the airport, he received the automated terminal information service (ATIS) and the winds were reported as being from 250 degrees at 5 knots.  He stated the approach was normal, but as he approached the threshold he had difficulty correcting for the crosswind and the airplane drifted to the right edge of the runway.  The pilot stated the airplane touched down and continued to the right.  He stated the airplane "ballooned slightly"  and the nose gear impacted a taxiway sign.  The pilot stated the nose gear collapsed and they came to rest in the grass between runways 28L and 28R.  The wind conditions reported at 1153 were from 240 degrees at 10 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2005, at 1136 central daylight time, a Canadian registered Piper PA-32-300, C-GGJB, collided with a taxiway sign while landing on runway 28L (3,909 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The pilot and the three passengers on board were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from FCM at 1036.

The pilot stated that as he approached FCM for landing, he received the automated terminal informaiton service (ATIS) and the winds were reported as being from 250 degrees at 5 knots.  He stated the approach was normal, but as he approached the threshold he had difficulty correcting for the crosswind and the airplane drifted to the right edge of the runway.  The pilot stated the airplane touched down and continued to the right.  He stated the airplane "ballooned slightly"  and the nose gear impacted a taxiway sign.  The pilot stated the nose gear collapsed and they came to rest in the grass between runways 28L and 28R.

The wind conditions reported at FCM at 1153 were from 240 degrees at 10 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGGJB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7640006
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. McMane
- Registered owner: Robert J. McMane
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FCM, Minneapolis, MN
- Destination: FCM, Minneapolis, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 340 total, 39 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: FCM

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.

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