# NTSB CHI06CA103: Piper PA-32-301, N8290X, Grayslake, IL, April 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2006, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Grayslake, IL - Coordinates: 42.324443, -88.07389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3244&lon=-88.0739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63451/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA103 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to compensate adequately for the crosswind condition and failed to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors included the crosswind, the narrow runway, soft ground, and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow (contributing factor) ## Analysis The single-engine airplane veered off the left side of runway 9 (3,270 feet by 40 feet, asphalt) during landing and sustained substantial damage. The winds 11 miles from the accident airport were 120 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported that he flew a Global Positioning System (GPS) approach and cancelled his instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan when he had the airport in sight. He entered a left downwind for landing on runway 9 and confirmed a right crosswind condition by observing the windsock. The airspeed was 90 knots with a right "crab" on final approach to landing. The pilot reported, "Prior to touchdown the wind calmed to the point that the crab was not needed." He reported the airplane touched down on the centerline of the dry runway. He reported, "Almost immediately after touchdown, the plane started moving left." He reacted by putting in full right aileron and applying right rudder, but he did not apply any pressure to the toe brakes. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane encountered soft terrain, spun around, and impacted a ditch. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the wheels spun freely when turned and the brakes did not stick. The tires had no flat spots. The inspection of the runway revealed that there was no long skid mark on the runway, but there were black skid marks about 2 feet in length that were about 20 feet apart. There was no indication of braking when the airplane came in contact with the grass. ## Factual narrative The single-engine airplane veered off the left side of runway 9 (3,270 feet by 40 feet, asphalt) during landing and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that he checked the weather conditions at an airport that was located about 11 miles from his destination. The reported winds were 120 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported that he flew a Global Positioning System (GPS) approach and cancelled his instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan when he had the airport in sight. He entered a left downwind for landing on runway 9 and confirmed a right crosswind condition by observing the windsock. The airspeed was 90 knots with a right "crab" on final approach to landing. The pilot reported, "Prior to touchdown the wind calmed to the point that the crab was not needed." He reported the airplane touched down on the centerline of the dry runway. He reported, "Almost immediately after touchdown, the plane started moving left." He reacted by putting in full right aileron and applying right rudder, but he did not apply any pressure to the toe brakes. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane encountered soft terrain, spun around, and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported, "I originally thought that the crosswind caused me to go left, but after reviewing the landing, examining the runway and surrounding area, taking pictures and talking to other pilots and instructors, it appears that the left wheel was intermittently hanging up, causing the plane to move left." The inspection of the airplane revealed that the wheels spun freely when turned and the brakes did not stick. The tires had no flat spots. The inspection of the runway revealed that there was no long skid mark on the runway, but there were black skid marks about 2 feet in length that were about 20 feet apart. There was no indication of braking when the airplane came in contact with the grass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8290X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8290X), registered now, S/N 32-8106007, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8106007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Eglsaer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2P2, Washington Is, WI - Destination: C81, Grayslake, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: C81, Campbell Airport, runway 09 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 875 total, 705 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 19 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 17 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F - Observed at: UGN, 11 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 20060402030879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060402030879A), Apr 2, 2006: Piper PA32301, Grayslake, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was on an instrument (IFR) flight plan from Washington island, Wisconsin (K2P2) to Campbell Airport, Grayslake, Illinois (KC81). He cancelled… 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.