# NTSB CHI99LA133: Piper PA-28-161, N38968, Morris, IL, April 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 1999, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Morris, IL - Coordinates: 41.359321, -88.420288 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3593&lon=-88.4203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA133 ## Probable cause the directional control not maintained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the wind gusts, crosswind and runway light. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - runway light (contributing factor) ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot reported, 'Upon reaching Morris (C09) the windsock indicated the winds were from the NE at 8-10 knots. Entered the pattern for runway 36. As the mains were touching down, a strong gust of wind from the right blew the airplane towards the left side of the runway near the runway lights. As the nose wheel touched down the airplane pulled to the left again. In order to avoid hitting several runway lights attempted to guide the airplane between the lights into the grassy area to the left of the runway. As the airplane was being slowed in the grass, a drop off of about 5 feet into a drainage area appeared. The airplane went over the drop off. The nose strut was bent backwards and the prop struck the ground...'. The airport manager reported that the winds at C09 were 090 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. He also reported that one runway light, located approximately 500-1,000 feet from the threshold of runway 36, was damaged. Inspection of the aircraft revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 1999 at 0940 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N38968, operated by the Vagabond Flying Asscociation (VFA), received substantial damage during landing rollout on runway 36 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt/dry) at Morris Municipal Airport, Morris, Illinois. The private pilot was a member of VFA. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot and all of two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed Dupage Airport (DPA), West Chicago, Illinois, at 0907, en route to Morris Municipal Airport (C09). The pilot reported, that during takeoff from DPA, the landing gear nose wheel was vibrating and kept pulling the airplane to the left. The pilot stated that he eased the nose wheel off the ground and continued his flight to C09 which was reporting, through the automated weather observation system, a wind of 4 knots. The pilot stated that there were no landings by other aircraft on Runway 36 at C09 prior to his landing. He stated that his final approach speed was 70 knots and 65 knots over the threshold. The pilot stated that he was lined up with the centerline runway 36 while touching down. At approximately 50-100 feet down runway 36, the right main landing gear wheel touched down first followed by the left at which point the aircraft "scooted over to the runway lights". The pilot stated that he then lowered the nose wheel which caused the airplane to turn more to the left. The pilot further stated that to avoid the runway lights, he tried to go diagonally through the lights and off the runway while keeping back pressure on the control yoke. He reported that the aircraft went down and then up through a drainage ditch located along side of the runway. The pilot added that there was a crosswind component and a wind gust during his landing attempt. He also stated that he had overheard two other people at the airport who also experienced wind gusts during landing. In a written statement, the pilot reported, "Upon reaching Morris (C09) the windsock indicated the winds were from the NE at 8-10 knots. Entered the pattern for runway 36. As the mains were touching down, a strong gust of wind from the right blew the airplane towards the left side of the runway near the runway lights. As the nose wheel touched down the airplane pulled to the left again. In order to avoid hitting several runway lights attempted to guide the airplane between the lights into the grassy area to the left of the runway. As the airplane was being slowed in the grass, a drop off of about 5 feet into a drainage area appeared. The airplane went over the drop off. The nose strut was bent backwards and the prop struck the ground. The engine was at idle at this time. After the airplane came to a stop everyone exited the airplane unhurt". The Aurora Automated Surface Observing System, located approximately 21 nmi north of C09, reported at 0953, the wind to be 101 degrees at 9 knots with no gusts. The airport manager reported that the winds at C09 were 090 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. He also reported that one runway light, located approximately 500-1,000 feet from the threshold of runway 36, was damaged. A VFA member reported that he had flown the accident aircraft on the previous flight for 2.1 hours. He had performed six takeoff and landings during this flight. He also reported that he had been flying the aircraft regularly and that the aircraft did not have any problems with the landing gear nose wheel steering prior to the accident. Inspection of the aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38968](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38968), registered now, S/N 28-7716300, built 1977 (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: 28-7716300 - Airframe hours: 2831 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vagabond Flying Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1999, 68 hours before - Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL - Destination: C09, IL - Airport: C09, Morris Municipal Airport, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 218 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 101° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ARR, 21 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 19990424003899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990424003899A), Apr 24, 1999: Piper PA28161, Morris, IL, Substantial damage. Acft encountered a strong crosswind on landing, landed off the side of the rwy in a grassy area, and came to rest in a ditch, other circumstances are unknown.… 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.