# NTSB ERA12CA160: Piper PA-28-161, N8330S, Raleigh, NC, December 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 30, 2011, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Raleigh, NC - Coordinates: 35.618888, -78.683609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6189&lon=-78.6836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane encountered a gust of wind at the start of the landing flare, and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The airplane touched down, and during the landing roll, the left main landing gear departed the left side of the runway. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to control the airplane with rudder input, but the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane veered to the left and came to rest in mud, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The wind recorded at an airport 14 miles to the south about the time of the accident, was from 200 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, a gust of wind struck the airplane as he began the landing flare, and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The airplane touched down, and during the landing roll the left main landing gear departed the left side of the runway. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to control the airplane with rudder input, but the left wing struck a tree, the airplane veered to the left, and came to rest in mud off the side of the runway resulting in substantial damage. The wind, recorded at an airport 14 miles to the south about the time of the accident, was from 200 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8330S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8330S-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 28-8116144, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116144 - Airframe hours: 10821 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chapel Hill Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Chapel Hill Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TTA, Sanford, NC - Destination: 5W5, Raleigh, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 5W5, Triple W Airport, runway 16, 3,004 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2011; flight hours: 60 total, 54 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: HRG, 14 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 20111230029859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111230029859A), Dec 30, 2011: Piper PA-28-161, Fuquay_varina, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot in command departed sanford- lee county airport after receiving limited weather information indicating strong gusty winds. While enroute to Triple W… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82754. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: Memorandum of Record (item 1, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - HRJ Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HRJ%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of Damage to Left Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%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.