# NTSB CHI94LA102: Piper PA-28-140, N6625W, Hutchinson, MN, March 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1994, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Hutchinson, MN - Coordinates: 44.879673, -94.370704 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8797&lon=-94.3707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9480/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA102 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the pilot's lack of total experience, the concrete block and the dirt back. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT STATED HE USED A SIDE SLIP TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHERE IT CONTACTED A CONCRETE BLOCK AND A DIRT BANK. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1994, at 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N6625W, operated by Hutchinson Aviation, and flown by a student pilot collided with a runway light and a ditch during a landing at the Hutchinson Municipal Airport, Hutchinson, Minnesota, while on a solo training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from Hutchinson, Minnesota, on March 9, 1994, at 1720 cst. The pilot reported he was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 15 (3,206' x 75') when the accident occurred. He stated the local winds were from 220 degrees and he used a side slip during the crosswind approach. He stated the right main gear touched down first followed by the left main gear. He stated that when the nose gear touched down, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane contacted a concrete block near a runway light at which time the nose gear collapsed. The airplane then continued for 150' prior to contacting a pile of dirt. Reported winds at Hutchinson Municipal Airport at 1700 cst were from 240 degrees at 9 knots. At 1800 cst, the winds were reported as being from 240 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 14 knots. The pilot stated he was not sure if the wind blew him off the runway or if he did not have the nose wheel straight when the airplane touched down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6625W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6625W), registered now, S/N 28-20722, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-20722 - Airframe hours: 4790 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas Parker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 10 hours before - Airport: HCD, Hutchinson Municipal, runway 15, 3,206 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HCD ## 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 19940309004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940309004959A), Mar 9, 1994: Piper PA28140, Hutchinson, MN, Minor damage. Landed with brakes full on. Skidded off runway. Struck runway light surrounded with concrete staves. Wing damaged. 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.