# NTSB FTW04LA018: Piper PA-28-160, N5203W, Amarillo, TX, November 5, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 5, 2003, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Amarillo, TX - Coordinates: 35.169998, -101.825836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1700&lon=-101.8258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind condition. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft, and the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 30-hour student pilot was landing on runway 17 following his first cross-country flight, and applied right rudder pressure to compensate for the prevailing crosswind conditions. After touchdown, the pilot "failed to release the right rudder," and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway. Also, the pilot "overcompensated" with left rudder, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane struck two fences before becoming to a stop. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 150 degrees at 8 to 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 5, 2003, about 1600 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-160 single-engine airplane, N5203W, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control while landing at the Tradewind Airport (TDW), near Amarillo, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight, which departed TDW approximately 1530. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 30-hour student pilot stated that while landing on runway 17 after his first solo cross-country flight, right rudder pressure was applied to compensate for the prevailing crosswind conditions. After touchdown, the pilot added that he "failed to release the right rudder," and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway. The pilot further stated that he "overcompensated" with left rudder, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane struck two fences before becoming to a stop. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the elevator, left aileron, left flap, and the leading edge of the left wing. The left fuel tank was found to have cracked. Runway 17 is 5,099 feet long and 60 feet wide. The pilot reported the winds from 150 degrees at 7 to 8 knots, with gusts to 9 knots. At 1553, the reported winds at the Amarillo International Airport (AMA), located approximately five miles from the accident site, was reporting the winds from 080 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5203W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5203W-2021-10-02), registration cancelled 2021-10-02, S/N 28-238, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-238 - Airframe hours: 3344 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James K. Ingram - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2003, 18 hours before - Departed: TDW, Amarillo, TX - Airport: TDW, Tradewind Airport, runway 17, 5,099 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 23 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: TDW ## 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 20031105027579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031105027579A), Nov 5, 2003: Piper PA28160, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 5, 2003, at approximately 1600 CST, Mr. James kemp ingram lost control of his aircraft during a crosswind landing at runway 17, Tradewind… ## Other investigations on N5203W (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 MIA69D0095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0095), Jun 18, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N5203W), Georgetown, SC, substantial damage 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.