# NTSB DEN90LA062: Piper PA-28-161, N81658, Nephi, UT, February 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1990, 18:30 local (Feb 22, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Nephi, UT
- Coordinates: 39.68032, -111.830184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6803&lon=-111.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA062

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL AND CORRECT THE RESULTANT GROUND SWERVE.  THE SNOW BANK WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON RWY 16 WITH WINDS HE ESTIMATED WERE CALM.  HE SAID THAT AT TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE TURNED LEFT AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE FIREWALL WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81658](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81658-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 28-8216128, built 1982 (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: 28-8216128
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alpine Aviation
- Departed: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT
- Destination: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Airport: U14, Nephi, runway 16, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900221009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900221009679A), Feb 21, 1990: Piper PA28161, Nephi, UT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touchdown. Veered into a snowbank on side of runway.

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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