# NTSB FTW01LA037: Piper PA-28-180, N7859W, Tulsa, OK, December 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 2000, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Coordinates: 36.05915, -95.940605 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0592&lon=-95.9406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA037 ## Probable cause the certified flight instructor's (CFI) failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis The private pilot was receiving an airplane checkout from a certified flight instructor (CFI). The private pilot taxied the airplane to runway 31, departed, and during the initial takeoff climb the CFI noted to the private pilot that there was a crosswind from the east. They decided to remain in the pattern and execute a landing to a full stop. The CFI reported that due to the 'choppy conditions' the private pilot 'kept the airspeed a little higher than normal' during the final approach. During the landing flare/touchdown, the airplane touched down, bounced, and drifted left of the runway centerline. The private pilot initiated a go-around; however, the CFI assumed control of the airplane, reduced the throttle to idle, and attempted to land the airplane. As the airplane was descending back to the runway, a 'wind gust caught the airplane from the right,' and subsequently, the airplane departed the runway. The airplane contacted a snow bank off the left side of the runway, crossed a taxiway, and came to a stop upright. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 2000, at 1545 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N7859W, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while landing at the Richard Lloyd Jones JR Airport, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The certified flight instructor (CFI), private pilot receiving instruction, and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bristol Aviation Services LLC., of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated at 1530 from the Richard Lloyd Jones JR Airport. According to the CFI and private pilot, the purpose of the flight was for the private pilot to receive an airplane checkout from the CFI. They reported that there were snow banks surrounding the taxiways and runways; however, the taxiway and runway surfaces were clear and dry. At 1545, the weather observation facility located at the Richard Lloyd Jones JR Airport reported the wind from 330 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The flight departed from runway 31 with the private pilot as the flying pilot. During the initial takeoff climb, the CFI noted to the private pilot that there was a crosswind from the east. The private pilot requested to remain in the pattern with the intention of the first landing being to a full stop. The CFI reported that due to the "choppy conditions," the private pilot "kept the airspeed a little higher than normal" during the final approach leg. During the landing flare/touchdown, the airplane touched down, bounced, and drifted left of the runway centerline. The private pilot initiated a go-around; however, the CFI assumed control of the airplane, reduced the throttle to idle, and attempted to land the airplane. As the airplane descended back to the runway, a "wind gust caught the airplane from the right," and subsequently, the airplane departed the runway. It then contacted a snow bank off the left side of the runway, crossed a taxiway, and came to a stop upright. The FAA inspector reported that the airplane's left wing was bent upwards, and the wing spar was damaged. He added that the left main landing gear separated from the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7859W (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1880 - Airframe hours: 4332 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bristol Aviation Services LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2000, 56 hours before - Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK - Airport: RVS, Richard Lloyd Jones Jr, runway 31, 2,807 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,400 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 8,200 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RVS ## 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 20001216025339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001216025339A), Dec 16, 2000: Piper PA28180, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) December 16, 2000, about 15:30 CDT, a private pilot and instructor pilot were aboard Piper, PA28-180, N7859W to check out the private pilot in the a/c.… 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.