# NTSB FTW91LA040: Piper PA-28R-200, N9490N, Wichita Falls, TX, February 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1991, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX
- Coordinates: 33.859771, -98.489891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8598&lon=-98.4899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED ON FINAL AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE GUSTING CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON A ONE EIGHTH  MILE FINAL FOR RUNWAY 17, HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONG CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT LEFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE DRIFT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. DURING THE GO AROUND, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DRIFT LEFT OFF OF THE RUNWAY UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH BUSHES AND THE GROUND. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 17 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 24 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9490N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9490N-1991-04-29), registration cancelled 1991-04-29, S/N 28R35211 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35211
- Airframe hours: 4999
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Dynamics, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Dynamics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1991, 42 hours before
- Airport: T47, Kickapoo, runway 17, 4,205 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 29 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPS, 10 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 19910216002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910216002769A), Feb 16, 1991: Piper PA28R200, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. Drifted on sudden crosswind. Tried go around but struck bushes and ground off side of runway.

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.

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