# NTSB DEN04LA046: Piper PA-28-151, N33363, Bountiful, UT, January 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 2004, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Bountiful, UT - Coordinates: 40.880172, -111.81903 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8802&lon=-111.8190&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 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Salt Lake City FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA046 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate visual outlook during the landing flare. Contributing factors include the pilot's lack of recent experience, the snow bank, and the snow-covered runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, the local flight was to practice ground reference and performance maneuvers in preparation for his private pilot check ride. When he returned to the airport, he decided not to do any pattern work and he set up for a full stop landing on runway 16. He stated that, because of the winds, he came in with no flaps. While on final approach he realized he was a little high, so he decreased the engine power to idle and descended to the runway. The pilot stated that "when the airplane touched down, the right main [landing gear] wheel touched down well into the snow." When the airplane veered and departed the right side of the runway, the left wing impacted a snow bank. The airplane came to a stop on a heading of approximately 220 degrees. The impact with the snow bank crushed the leading edge of the left wing and bent the left wing's spar. According to the student pilot, he examined the touchdown point of both main wheels and stated that, "they were both within the runway boundary." He also stated that, "the runway wasn't plowed [to its] full width," and there were no Notices To Airman (NOTAMS) that identified this. According to an FAA inspector, the student pilot had not flown with an instructor for over 30 days and the student pilot's 90-day solo endorsement had expired. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 2004, at approximately 1245 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N33363, operated by G & B Investment Management, was substantially damaged when it struck a snow bank during landing at Skypark Airport (BTF), Bountiful, Utah. The student pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for this local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed at approximately 1145. According to the student pilot, the local flight was to practice ground reference and performance maneuvers in preparation for his private pilot check ride. Upon returning to Skypark, he decided not to do any pattern work and he set up for a full stop landing on runway 16. He stated that, because of the winds, he came in with no flaps. While on final approach he realized he was a little high, so he decreased the engine power to idle and descended to the runway. The pilot stated that "when the airplane touched down, the right main [landing gear] wheel touched down well into the snow." When the airplane veered and departed the right side of the runway, the left wing impacted a snow bank. The airplane came to a stop on a heading of approximately 220 degrees. The impact with the snow bank crushed the leading edge of the left wing and bent the left wing's spar. According to the student pilot, he examined the touchdown point of both main wheels and stated that, "they were both within the runway boundary." He also stated that, "the runway wasn't plowed [to its] full width," and there were no Notices To Airman (NOTAMS) that identified this. At 1256, the reported weather at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah, (approximately 4 nautical miles at 210 degrees, and at an elevation of 4,227 feel msl) was, wind, 170 degrees at 9 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, overcast at 6,000 feet; temperature, 2 degrees C.; dew point, minus 9 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 30.08. The calculated density altitude was 3,532 feet msl. According to an FAA inspector, the student pilot had not flown with an instructor for over 30 days and the student pilot's 90-day solo endorsement had expired. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33363](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33363), registered now, S/N 28-7515312, built 1975 (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: 28-7515312 - Airframe hours: 7265.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: G &B Investment Management - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2004, 4.5 hours before - Departed: BTF, Bountiful, UT - Destination: BTF, Bountiful, UT - Airport: BTF, Skypark Airport, runway 16, 4,700 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 63 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 60 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KSLC, 4 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 20040127000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040127000549A), Jan 27, 2004: Piper PA28151, Bountiful, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Student was on an unauthorized solo flight in the local area. His last 90 day solo endorsement was 110 days previous to this flight. He had not flown as… 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.