# NTSB CHI96LA079: Piper PA-28-161, N80029, Zionsville, IN, January 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 1996, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Zionsville, IN - Coordinates: 39.950649, -86.270347 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9506&lon=-86.2703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA079 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on the ground. A factor relating to this accident is the snowbank. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot was performing a touch and go landing when the airplane 'pulled left into the snow and stood up on its nose.' 'The airplane then slowly fell over onto its back.' The center 75 feet of the runway's 100 foot width had been plowed. The plowed area was 'clear and dry.' Examination of the wreckage at the site revealed the airplane nosed over in a snow bank approximately 10 feet from the left edge of the runway. Flight control continuity was established. No anomalies were found in the engine or in any of the airplane's other systems. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 1996, at 1620 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-28-161, N80029, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing the airplane struck a snow bank and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A VFR flight plan was on file. The student pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Zionsville, Indiana, at 1615 est. In his written statement, the student pilot stated he was performing his third touch and go landing. He had just made the decision to takeoff again when the airplane "pulled left into the snow and stood up on its nose." "The airplane then slowly fell over onto its back." The pilot stated that the center 75 feet of the runway's 100 foot width had been plowed. The plowed area was "clear and dry." The pilot had not yet applied power to the engine or raised the flaps when the airplane pulled left. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage at the site found the airplane nosed over in a snow bank approximately 10 feet in from the left edge of the runway, and approximately 2000 feet down from the approach end of the runway. The airplane's right wing spar had separated from the fuselage at the wing root. The right wing, along the leading edge, showed heavy wrinkles and bending. The upper one-third of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. Numerous wrinkles were found throughout the aft fuselage. Flight control continuity was established. No anomalies were found in the engine or in any of the airplane's other systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80029](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80029-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 28-8216076, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8216076 - Airframe hours: 4975 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pad, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1995, 13 hours before - Departed: I52 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: I52, Terry Airport, runway 18, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 20 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 19960113000689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960113000689A), Jan 13, 1996: Piper PA28161, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Student pilot performing touch and go landings, on third try veered left, hit a snow bank, and flipped over. (-23) student pilot stated he was executing a… 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.