# NTSB CHI95LA143: Piper PA-28-161, N8475R, Boyceville, WI, April 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1995, 13:33 local (18:33 UTC)
- Place: Boyceville, WI
- Coordinates: 45.040542, -92.03057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0405&lon=-92.0306&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 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA143

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and subsequent failure to maintain runway alignment. The crosswind was a factor.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 04 WITH WINDS BETWEEN 280 AND 040 DEGREES AT TEN GUSTING TO SEVENTEEN KNOTS.  HE WROTE HE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAINTAINING AIRSPEED ON FINAL.  THE AIRPLANE WAS 'FLOATING' AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY, THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN.  HE WROTE THAT HE 'THOUGHT THE AIRPLANE WOULD SETTLE BACK DOWN, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FLOAT AND DRIFT TO THE RIGHT INTO THE TREES.'

## Factual narrative

On April 28, 1995, about 1333 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-161, N8475R, operated by Aukemas Nor Wes Enterprises, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway after landing in Boyceville, Wisconsin.  The private pilot reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  The flight originated in Menomonie, Wisconsin, about 1320.  No flight plan was filed.

In his written statement, the pilot reported he was landing on runway 04 with winds between 280 and 040 degrees at ten gusting to seventeen knots.  He wrote he had a difficult time maintaining airspeed on final.  The airplane was "floating" and contacted the runway, then became airborne again.  He wrote that he "thought the airplane would settle back down, but it continued to float and drift to the right into the trees," sustaining damage to the wings, empennage, and nose gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8475R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8475R-1998-01-10), registration cancelled 1998-01-10, S/N 2822381 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22381
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aukemas Nor Wes Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1995, 80 hours before
- Departed: W11, MENOMONIE, WI
- Airport: Boyceville, runway 4, 2,800 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 31 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 110 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 19950428009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950428009959A), Apr 28, 1995: Piper PA28140, Boyceville, WI, Substantial damage. Porpoised landing. Exited runway. Struck trees. Low confidence level in crosswind landings. (-23) pilot reported previous trouble at menomonie, Wisconsin and…

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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