# NTSB DEN90LA080: Piper PA-28-181, N4540X, Price, UT, March 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1990, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Price, UT
- Coordinates: 39.570899, -110.800292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5709&lon=-110.8003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE CONPENSATION FOR THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH WERE A FACTOR.

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS MAKING A LANDING TO RUNWAY 18, WITH WINDS FROM 190 DEGREES AT 5, GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS. SHE SAID THAT AT FLARE FOR TOUCHDOWN, A STRONG WIND GUST STRUCK THE PLANE FROM THE RIGHT AND PUSHED IT LEFT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND BUT LOST CONTROL. THE PLANE STRUCK THE BRUSH COVERED TERRAIN LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR, RIGHT MAIN GEAR, BENT THE FUSELAGE, FIREWALL AND RIGHT WING. THE PLANE CAME TO REST 25 YARDS LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. THE WEATHER REPORTING STATION CONFIRMED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4540X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4540X-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 287690032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690032
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strand Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: GJC, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Destination: PUC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PUC, Carbon Co., runway 18, 7,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 64 total, 7 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 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 19900326005809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900326005809A), Mar 26, 1990: Piper PA28181, Price, UT, Substantial damage. Hit by side gust on flare tried to go around but struck bushes on side of runway.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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