# NTSB DEN89LA156: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N4391A, Red Lodge, MT, July 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Red Lodge, MT
- Coordinates: 45.190376, -109.240165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1904&lon=-109.2402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA156

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING ROLL, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE MAKING A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT SELECTED RWY 16, A 4,000 X 75 FT, ASPHALT RWY, WITH WINDS HE ESTIMATED AS FROM 150 DEG AT 5 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, A WIND GUST HE ESTIMATED FROM 260 DEG AT 30 KTS, PUSHED THE ACFT LEFT AND RAISED THE NOSE. HE SAID HE HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE PLT SAID HE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND BY ADDING FULL POWER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND FLEW AT 10 FT AGL, GRADUALLY LOSING ALTITUDE UNTIL IT STRUCK A 3 FT HIGH BANK AND SLID INTO A WATER FILLED IRRIGATION DITCH. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 1,000 FEET WEST OF THE RWY. SEVERAL WITNESSES CONFIRMED THAT THE WIND HAD GUSTED SUDDENLY DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4391A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4391A-1990-06-19), registration cancelled 1990-06-19, S/N 28R8431029 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8431029
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB9 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank, Robert E.
- Registered owner: Robert E Frank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 30, 1989, 1,285 hours before
- Departed: GEG, SPOKANE, WA
- Destination: RED
- Airport: RED, Red Lodge, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 66 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

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.

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