# NTSB ERA17CA218: Piper PA 28-140, N6977W, Honesdale, PA, June 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2017, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Honesdale, PA - Coordinates: 41.515556, -75.251663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5156&lon=-75.2517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95461/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95461 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA218 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during crosswind conditions. ## 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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102802), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, a wind gust "picked up" the right wing and "spun" the airplane to the left. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system located about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, a right 70°, 8-knot crosswind wind prevailed. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare a gust of wind "picked up" the right wing and "spun" the airplane to the left. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system located about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that about the time of the accident, a right 70° crosswind wind at 8 knots prevailed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6977W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6977W-2017-11-28), registration cancelled 2017-11-28, S/N 28-21175, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-140 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-21175 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 6457.08 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2017, 630 hours before - Departed: 22N, LEHIGHTON, PA - Destination: N30, HONESDALE, PA - Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge, runway 36, 2,986 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 359 total, 200 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KMPO, 24 nm away ## Other investigations on N6977W (1) 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 NYC66F0656](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0656), May 7, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N6977W), Rochester, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95461. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.