# NTSB CHI99LA301: Piper PA-28-151, N32840, Red Wing, MN, August 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1999, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Red Wing, MN - Coordinates: 44.57933, -92.599952 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5793&lon=-92.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47127/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA301 ## Probable cause Directional control not being maintained by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the ditch. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot completed a standard left-handed traffic pattern for runway 27 and touched down on the runway, tracking the runway centerline, without incident. The pilot reported that during the landing rollout a, '...very strong crosswind from the north pushed the plane south of the runway, I applied full right aileron to keep the right wing down. I was on the brakes [and] a ground loop developed.' The pilot stated that the airplane departed the prepared runway surface and came to rest in a 10 foot deep trench that paralleled runway 27, located approximately 150 feet south of the southern edge of the runway. A weather observation station, located on the airport, four minutes prior to the accident time, reported the wind 210-degrees at 6 knots. Other weather observation stations, near the accident site, did not record any significant winds or other weather phenomena near the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-28-151, N32840, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage during a collision with a 10 foot deep trench following a loss of control during landing rollout on runway 27 (4,002 feet by 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Red Wing Municipal Airport, Red Wing, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed the South St. Paul Municipal Airport at exact time unknown. According to the pilot's written statement, he completed a standard left-handed traffic pattern for runway 27 and touched down on the runway, tracking the runway centerline, without incident. The pilot reported that during the landing rollout a, "...very strong crosswind from the north pushed the plane south of the runway, I applied full right aileron to keep the right wing down. I was on the brakes [and] a ground loop developed." The pilot stated that the airplane departed the prepared runway surface and came to rest in a 10 foot deep trench that paralleled runway 27, located approximately 150 feet south of the southern edge of the runway. A weather observation station, located on the airport, four minutes prior to the accident time, reported the weather conditions as: Red Wing Municipal Airport (Red Wing, Minnesota) Observation Time: 1456 cdt Wind: 210-degrees at 6 knots Visibility: 10 statute miles Sky Condition: Scattered Clouds 5,500 feet above ground level Temperature: 23-degrees centigrade Dew Point Temperature: 13-degrees centigrade Pressure: 30.09 inches of mercury Weather observation stations located near Red Wing Municipal Airport reported the weather conditions as: South St. Paul-Richard E. Fleming Field Airport (South St. Paul, Minnesota) Distance From Accident Site: 28.467 Nautical Miles (nm) Direction From Accident Site: 303.3 Degrees Magnetic Observation Time: 1455 cdt Wind: 220-degrees at 5 knots Visibility: 10 statute miles Sky Condition: Scattered Clouds 5,000 feet above ground level Temperature: 22-degrees centigrade Dew Point Temperature: 13-degrees centigrade Pressure: 30.09 inches of mercury Airlake Airport (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Distance From Accident Site: 31.784 nm Direction From Accident Site: 272.8 Degrees Magnetic Observation Time: 1455 cdt Wind: 220-degrees at 7 knots Visibility: 10 statute miles Sky Condition: Scattered Clouds 4,900 feet above ground level Temperature: 23-degrees centigrade Dew Point Temperature: 12-degrees centigrade Pressure: 30.10 inches of mercury St. Paul Downtown Holman Field Airport (St. Paul, Minnesota) Distance From Accident Site: 32.074 nm Direction From Accident Site: 309.0 Degrees Magnetic Observation Time: 1453 cdt Wind: 160-degrees at 9 knots Visibility: 10 statute miles Sky Condition: Broken Clouds 5,500 feet above ground level Temperature: 23-degrees centigrade Dew Point Temperature: 12-degrees centigrade Pressure: 30.11 inches of mercury ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32840](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32840-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 28-7515255, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7515255 - Airframe hours: 6233 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: R D Hald Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: SGS, SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN - Destination: RGK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RGK, Red Wing Municipal Arpt, runway 27, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 194 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RGK ## 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 19990814024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990814024549A), Aug 14, 1999: Piper PA28151, Red Wing, MN, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 14, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N32840, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage during a collision… 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.