# NTSB CHI96LA077: Piper PA-28-180C, N8221W, West Liberty, IA, January 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1996, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: West Liberty, IA - Coordinates: 42.499832, -90.690849 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4998&lon=-90.6908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and an intentional ground loop/swerve. A factor in the accident was the wet grass runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence post ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane made a normal touchdown on the grass airstrip. When he applied the brakes to stop, the airplane skid as if it was on ice. To avoid impacting a parked airplane and a fence located at the end of the runway, the pilot applied full power and full right rudder to turn the airplane. The airplane went into a bean field, and its left wing impacted a fence post. The pilot stated that the airstrip looked dry, but it was wet and muddy because the snow had recently melted leaving the ground very soft. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1995, at 1530 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-28-180C, N8221W, sustained substantial damage when it exited the end of the runway and impacted a fence post during the landing roll on a private grass airstrip in West Liberty, Iowa. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight had originated from Green Castle, Iowa, at 1500 cst. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was on file. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated the airplane made a normal touchdown on the grass airstrip. He stated that when he applied the brakes to stop "it was just like being on ice." "The airplane hydroplaned," the pilot stated. In an attempt to try and avoid impacting a parked airplane and a fence which were located at the end of the runway, the pilot applied full power and full right rudder to turn the airplane. The airplane went into a bean field and its left wing impacted a fence post. The pilot reported that he has landed on this airstrip on many other occasions. He stated that the airstrip looked dry, but it was wet and muddy because the snow had recently melted leaving the ground very soft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8221W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8221W-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 28-2354, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180C - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2354 - Airframe hours: 1735 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. & Jean R. Dunn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1995, 65 hours before - Departed: IA24, GREENCASTLE, IA - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 36, 2,400 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 19960112000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960112000609A), Jan 12, 1996: Piper PA28180, West Liberty, IA, Substantial damage. Landed on grass strip, unable to stop at end of runway, hit post with left wing, left wing separated from fuselage. 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.