# NTSB CHI99LA161: Piper PA-28-161, N2941Y, Mineral Point, WI, May 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1999, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Mineral Point, WI - Coordinates: 42.860637, -90.179542 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8606&lon=-90.1795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA161 ## Probable cause the inadequate planning and decision by the pilot and the exceeded crosswind capability of the airplane. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the gusts. ## 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 - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,crosswind capability - exceeded (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain during an aborted landing on runway 04 at Iowa County Airport (MRJ), Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The pilot stated that he had entered a left base for runway 04 and touched down at the runway threshold with the aircraft's flaps fully extended. He described the aircraft's attitude during its landing as having its left wing low with application of the right rudder. He further added that the wind gusted and raised the aircraft's left wing which was then followed by the aircraft departing the runway towards the right. The pilot stated that he added power to attempt an aborted landing. The airport manager stated that, at the time of the accident, the automatic weather observing system (AWOS) reported winds 25 knots gusting to 28-30 knots and a wind direction of 300-310 degrees. Upon touchdown the left wing of the accident aircraft appeared to lift the left wing and the aircraft veered to the right and struck a runway light with the right wing. The manager added, 'Pilot attempted a go around at this point but could not gain much altitude, plane veered to the east and went down in an open field'. The maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the PA-28-161 is 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1999, at 1330 central daylight time. a Piper PA-28-161, operated by Western Aire Flying Club, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an aborted landing on runway 04 (3,601 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt) at Iowa County Airport (MRJ), Mineral Point, Wisconsin. 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 sustained minor injuries. The flight departed Goshen, Indiana, at 1110, en route to MRJ. The pilot stated that he had entered a left base for runway 04 at MRJ and touched down at the runway threshold with the aircraft's flaps fully extended. He described the aircraft's attitude during its landing as having its left wing low with application of the right rudder. He further added that the wind gusted and raised the aircraft's left wing which was then followed by the aircraft exiting the right side of the runway. The pilot stated that he added power to attempt an aborted landing. In a written statement, the pilot reported the following: "I left Mt. Vernon 4I3 Ohio - I flew to GSH (Goshen, IN) refueled and left for MRJ to meet with my dad and uncle for supper. The landing was set up well, a gust nearly tipped me over causing damage to the R [right] wing (I was unaware of hitting a runway light). I put in the power to do a go-around and [the] plane settled into a field [approximately] 200 yards east of the runway. The pilot reported that he has accumulated 1,500 hours of flight time; of which, 200 hours were in PA-28-161 aircraft. He also reported that he received a biennial flight review in a Cessna 175 on February 7, 1999. The airport manager stated that, at the time of the accident, the automatic weather observing system (AWOS) reported winds 25 knots gusting to 28-30 knots and a wind direction of 300-310 degrees. Upon touchdown the left wing of the accident aircraft appeared to lift the left wing and the aircraft veered to the right and struck a runway light with the right wing. The manager added, "Pilot attempted a go around at this point but could not gain much altitude, plane veered to the east and went down in an open field". The maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the PA-28-161 is 17 knots. A runway light located approximately 1,400 feet down the runway was damaged. The aircraft was located approximately 1/2 mile east of runway 04 on a magnetic heading of 310 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2941Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2941Y-2000-03-14), registration cancelled 2000-03-14, S/N 28-7916569 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916569 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Western Aire Flying Club Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1999, 250 hours before - Departed: GSH, GOSHEN, IN - Destination: MRJ - Airport: MRJ, Iowa County Airport, runway 4, 3,601 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 20 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRJ ## 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 19990524021619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990524021619A), May 24, 1999: Piper PA28161, Mineral Point, WI, Substantial damage. On may 24, 1999, at 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, operated by western aire flying club, received substantial damage on impact with terrain… 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.