# NTSB DFW07CA213: Piper PA-28-180, N7906W, Tunica, MS, August 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2007, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.676387, -90.341667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6764&lon=-90.3417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson, Mississippi - NTSB case key (mKey): 66826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions during a crosswind landing. A factor was the crosswind. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The 300-hour private pilot reported on a written statement to the FAA, that he entered the traffic pattern on the downwind for Runway 35. He added that the downwind entry, base leg, and final approach were all normal. The pilot further stated that "upon crossing into the blacktop of the runway, the airplane climbed rapidly 25-30 feet, like a thermal effect from the high temperatures off of the runway." He added that a prevailing crosswind from the west "drifted the airplane slightly off-center." The pilot added that he applied full power, closed the carburetor heat, and prepared for either a go-around or a soft landing further down the runway. The airplane then "lost lift and touched down in a crab due to the crosswind." The airplane touched down on the nose landing gear, skidded sideways, when the nose gear touched down the aircraft skidded sideways and :nosed over slightly" resulting in a prop strike and wing contact on the runway. The right wing sustained structural damaged. The winds were reported from 270 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative The 300-hour private pilot reported on a written statement to the FAA, that he entered the traffic pattern on the downwind for Runway 35. He added that the downwind entry, base leg, and final approach were all normal. The pilot further stated that "upon crossing into the blacktop of the runway, the airplane climbed rapidly 25-30 feet, like a thermal effect from the high temperatures off of the runway." He added that a prevailing crosswind from the west "drifted the airplane slightly off-center." The pilot added that he applied full power, closed the carburetor heat, and prepared for either a go-around or a soft landing further down the runway. The airplane then "lost lift and touched down in a crab due to the crosswind." The airplane touched down on the nose landing gear, skidded sideways, when the nose gear touched down the aircraft skidded sideways and :nosed over slightly" resulting in a prop strike and wing contact on the runway. The right wing sustained structural damaged. The winds were reported from 270 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7906W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7906W-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 28-1936, built 1964 (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: 28-1936 - Airframe hours: 3124 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2006, 163 hours before - Departed: M01, Memphis, TN - Destination: KUTA, Tunica, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 106 °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 20070815023149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070815023149A), Aug 15, 2007: Piper PA28180, Tunica, MS, Minor damage. (-23) On August 15, 2007, around 1355 local time the pilot in command of N7906W, PA-28-180, aircraft was on approach to runway 35 at the Tunica, MS (kuta)… ## Other investigations on N7906W (3) 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. - [NTSB ERA10FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA020), Oct 18, 2009: Piper PA-28-181 (N7906W), Oliver Springs, TN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control while landing on a wet turf runway, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a tree. - [NTSB NYC78FNE06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FNE06), Jan 29, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N7906W), Stratford, CT, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK65X0887](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0887), Nov 29, 1964: Piper PA28 (N7906W), Waterbury, CT, substantial damage 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.