# NTSB ERA11CA109: Piper PA-28-235, N929TC, Lancaster, SC, January 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2011, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, SC - Coordinates: 34.722778, -80.854446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7228&lon=-80.8544&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 June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78132 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78132/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78132 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around maneuver after landing. ## 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-28-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102810), [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-28-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-28-235, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane encountered a crosswind. The airplane drifted to the right of the approach path to the runway. During the landing, the airplane touched down to the right of the centerline and began to veer toward the right edge of the runway. The pilot attempted to execute a go-around; however, he did not apply full right rudder with the application of engine power, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a ditch and the right main landing gear sheared off; the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while on final approach a crosswind blew the airplane to the right side of the extended centerline of the runway. During the landing, the airplane touched down to the right of centerline and began to drift toward the right edge of the runway. The pilot attempted to execute a go-around; however, he did not apply full right rudder with the application of engine power, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a ditch, the right main landing gear sheared off, and the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N929TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N929TC), registered now, S/N 28-7310135, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7310135 - Airframe hours: 2349 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2010 - Departed: ZPH, Zephyrhills, FL - Destination: LKR, Lancaster, SC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: LKR, Lancaster County Airport, runway 06, 6,004 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 637 total, 272 in this make and model, 584 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: LKR ## 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 20110106000499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110106000499A), Jan 6, 2011: Piper PA-28-235, Lancaster, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot landed right of center line. Aircraft started to drift right. Pilot applied rudder to correct. Pilot then applied power to make a go around. When power… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78132. 933 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF - Weather Records (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Records-Master.PDF - Photograph of Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Fuselage Damage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(FAA)-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.