# NTSB DEN92LA096: Piper PA-28-180, N7181W, Craig, CO, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 14:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Location: 40.4952° N, 107.5217° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CRAIG-MOFFAT (CAG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4952&lon=-107.5217&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED, ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET, THEN WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 25 AND STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH 120 FEET AWAY.  WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE CALM.  THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TOE BRAKES.  THE AIRPLANE OWNER'S MANUAL NOTES THAT THE NOSE WHEEL IS STEERABLE THROUGH A 44 DEGREE ARC.  STANDARD BRAKING CONSISTS OF A LEVER AND MASTER CYLINDER LOCATED BELOW AND BEHIND THE LEFT CENTER ON THE INSTRUMENT SUB PANEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7181W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7181W), registered now, S/N 28-989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-989
- Airframe hours: 724
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Tileston, Gordon M.
- Registered owner: Tileston, Gordon M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1991, 10 hours before
- Departed: CAG
- Destination: CAG
- Airport: CAG, Craig-Moffat Muni, runway 25, 5,606 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 804 total, 724 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 1 °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 19920926039029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926039029A), Sep 26, 1992: Piper PA28180, Craig, CO, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on landing. Struck ditch 120 feet from runway. Blamed brakes. No defects found.

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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