# NTSB CHI07CA251: Piper PA-17, N4802H, Scribner, NE, July 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2007, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Scribner, NE - Coordinates: 41.610279, -96.629997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6103&lon=-96.6300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot lost control during landing on runway 17 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete). The pilot stated that upon return from a local flight he noticed that the prevailing east wind had increased and he selected runway 17 for landing. He reported the airplane touched down; however, it lifted off again. He stated, "When it came down the second time [it] wasn't in line with the runway because of the strong east wind." He applied full rudder and subsequently right brake but was unable to regain control. He reported that application of the brake may have been excessive. The landing gear collapsed substantially damaging the airframe. The pilot noted, "The 20 -25 mph wind from the east was too much for me that day." The pilot reported winds from 090 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control during landing on runway 17 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete) and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that upon return from a local flight he noticed that the prevailing east wind had increased and he selected runway 17 for landing. He reported the airplane touched down, however, it lifted off again. He stated: "When it came down the second time [it] wasn't in line with the runway because of the strong east wind." He applied full rudder and subsequently right brake but was unable to regain control. He reported that application of the brake may have been excessive. The landing gear collapsed substantially damaging the airframe. The pilot noted: "The 20 -25 mph wind from the east was too much for me that day." The pilot reported winds from 090 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, at the time of the accident. Weather conditions were not recorded at the accident airport. At 1330, wind conditions recorded at a nearby airport located 11 miles southeast of the accident airport, were from 100 degrees at 8 knots. At 1350, recorded winds were from 120 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated that the pilot had been denied an airman medical certificate in September 1990. His commercial pilot certificate had subsequently been revoked due to operating an aircraft without a valid medical certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4802H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4802H), registered now, S/N 17-100, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-17 - Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17-100 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2006 - Departed: SCB, Scribner, NE - Airport: SCB, Scribner State, runway 17, 4,200 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: FET, 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 20070720015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070720015069A), Jul 20, 2007: Piper PA17, Scribner, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing on runway 17, at the Scribner State airfield, Scribner, Nebraska, the pilot lost control allowing the aircraft to ground loop, damaging a… ## Other investigations on N4802H (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 FTW97LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA141), Mar 26, 1997: Piper PA-17 (N4802H), N Little Rock, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: loss of engine power due to failure of the crankshaft. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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.