# NTSB CHI08CA121: Piper PA-32-260, N32394, Vermillion, SD, April 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 18, 2008, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Vermillion, SD - Coordinates: 42.765277, -96.934448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7653&lon=-96.9344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Rapid City, SD FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind and the soft terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the local winds were from 020 degrees at 14 knots when he landed. He stated that after touching down, the wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest when it contacted an area of grass and soft sand. The pilot reported that he did not use enough rudder to compensate for the wind. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2008, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N32394, experienced a loss of control while landing on runway 30 (4,105 feet by 75 feet, concrete) at the Davidson Airport, Vermillion, South Dakota. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the firewall and left wing. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Rapid City, South Dakota, at 0805 mountain daylight time. The pilot reported the local winds were from 020 degrees at 14 knots when he landed. He stated that after touching down, the wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest when it contacted an area of grass and soft sand. The pilot reported he did not use enough rudder to compensate for the wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32394](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32394), registered now, S/N 32-7500005, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7500005 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: K and F Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RAP, Rapid City, SD - Destination: Vermillion, SD - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 202 total, 38 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast ## 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 20080418839109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080418839109A), Apr 18, 2008: Piper PA32260, Vermillion, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 18, 2008 about 1030 CST, the pilot was attempting a landing a Vermillion, SD, when the lost control of the aircraft. There was strong direct… 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.