# NTSB ERA09LA547: Piper PA-28-180, N7720W, Glen St. Mary, FL, September 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 2009, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Glen St. Mary, FL - Coordinates: 30.362777, -82.226112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3628&lon=-82.2261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA547 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74851/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74851 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA547 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a "good" landing; however, after touchdown the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and right brake, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane. The left wing lifted and the right wingtip struck the ground spinning the airplane clockwise to the right. The airplane came to rest after the left wing also struck the ground and the airplane settled back on its landing gear. The pilot reported to police after the accident that he "lost control of the aircraft" during landing and slid into a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the nose landing gear clevis pin was sheared. Further examination of the landing gear and steering control system revealed overstress fractures to the rod end and clevis pin, and no evidence of a pre-impact failure. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2009, at 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7720W, was substantially damaged during landing at the Cuyler Field Airport (FD27), Glen St. Mary, Florida. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot departed from FD27 about 1715, overflew the field once, and performed one slip maneuver prior to returning to land on runway 09, a dry, grass runway. The pilot reported the landing was "good;" however, when the airplane was about 3/4 down the length of the runway during the landing rollout, it suddenly veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake; however, the airplane continued to veer to the left. The left wing lifted and the right wingtip struck the ground spinning the airplane clockwise to the right. The airplane came to rest after the left wing also struck the ground and the airplane settled back on its landing gear. The pilot also reported to local law enforcement immediately after the accident that "while attempting to land the plane [he] lost control of the aircraft and slid into the ditch." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. Additionally, the nose landing gear clevis pin was sheared. Several components of the landing gear were retained for further examination. The shimmy dampener assembly, rod end, and clevis pin from the nose landing gear were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington D.C. for examination. In the assembled condition, the rod end was to be screwed into the shaft of the shimmy dampener. The clevis pin was reportedly installed at the top of the nose gear strut. The purpose of the clevis pin was to connect the steering arm to the inner strut tube. Visual examination of the parts revealed the rod end fractured at the thread portion. The fractured ends of the thread portion revealed signatures typical of overstress separation. The clevis pin fractured at the shank portion. The shank portion displayed evidence of lateral deformation with respect to the length of the shank. The fracture face of the clevis pin showed lateral smear marks consistent with a pin that fractured in ductile overstress in shear mode. According to the pilot, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on September 13, 2009 and no recent maintenance had been performed to the landing gear. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident he had accumulated approximately 217 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane. The weather reported at Jacksonville Airport, 20 miles to the southeast of FD27, at 1750, included wind from 270 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7720W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7720W), registered now, S/N 28-1726, 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: 28-1726 - Airframe hours: 5574 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Revels Claude D - Registered owner: Revels Claude D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2009 - Departed: FD27, Glen St. Mary, FL - Destination: FD27, Glen St. Mary, FL - Airport: FD27, Cuyler Field Airport, runway 09, 3,250 × 66 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 217 total, 217 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: VQQ, 20 nm away ## 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 20090927020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090927020059A), Sep 27, 2009: Piper PA28180, Glen St Mary, FL, Substantial damage. During rollout after landing on runway 9 the aircraft veered to the left and departed the runway. The left wing left the ground and the aircraft rotated… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74851. 4.1 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory Factual Report 09-099 (item 1, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2009-099-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 4, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - FAA Interview Summary (item 5, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Police Report (excerpt) (item 6, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aircraft after coming to rest (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aircraft%20after%20coming%20to%20rest%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Aircraft at accident site (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Aircraft%20at%20accident%20site%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Aircraft damage (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Aircraft%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Recorded Weather Observations (item 10, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Recorded%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF 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.