# NTSB ERA10CA144: Piper PA-28-236, N236PR, Alton Bay, NH, February 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2010, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Alton Bay, NH - Coordinates: 43.4775, -71.236946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4775&lon=-71.2369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75378/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75378 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on an ice runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-28-236, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot the landing on the ice runway was smooth but the airplane began to drift left. The pilot was hesitant to use heavy rudder and brake inputs, as he was unsure of their effect when landing on ice. As the pilot continued to apply right rudder, the left main landing gear began “dragging on snow,” which prevented the plane from turning right. The airplane veered into a snow bank, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A crosswind of 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, was present at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the landing on the ice runway was smooth, but the airplane began to drift left. The pilot was hesitant to use heavy rudder and brake inputs, as he was unsure of their effect when landing on ice. As the pilot continued to apply right rudder, the left main landing gear began “dragging on snow”, which prevented the plane from turning right. The airplane veered into a snow bank resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A crosswind at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, was present at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N236PR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N236PR), registered now, S/N 28-7911272, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7911272 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Connecticut Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Connecticut Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KSNC, Chester, CT - Destination: B18, Alton Bay, NH - Airport: B18, Alton Bay Seaplane Base, runway 01, 2,600 × 100 ft, ice ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 60 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.32 inHg - Observed at: LCI, 10 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 20100214004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100214004969A), Feb 14, 2010: Piper PA-28-236, Alton Bay, NH, Substantial damage. On landing, aircraft began to drift and weathervane to the left into the wind. Wind gusting to 20MPH. Pilot corrected with rudder. Aircraft again drifted and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75378. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 573 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.