# NTSB FTW93LA127: Piper PA-32-300, N4079R, Danville, AR, April 10, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 1993, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Danville, AR - Coordinates: 35.049312, -93.390525 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0493&lon=-93.3905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA127 ## Probable cause PILOT'S IMPROPER CROSSWIND CORRECTION, HIS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND IMPROPER SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, dual student (cause) - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - runway light ## Analysis DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE PRIVATE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CORRECTIONS FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT. THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN CROSSWIND LANDINGS, THIS WAS THE 'FIRST REAL CROSSWIND LANDING' HE HAD PERFORMED. WIND WAS FROM 210 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 18 ## Factual narrative On April 10, 1993, at 1430 central daylight time (CDT) a Piper PA 32 300, N4079R was substantially damaged during landing at Russellville, Arkansas. Neither pilot or their passenger were injured. Weather for the local area flight was visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was owned and operated by Paul J. Henderson of Russellville, Arkansas. The following information was provided to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector by the pilots. They had landed and during the landing roll the airplane was effected by a left cross wind. The wind blew the airplane to the right and it struck the runway lighting system resulting in damage to the left horizontal stabilator and the empennage area. An additional telephonic interview with the private pilot revealed that he had contracted with the instructor pilot to provide training in crosswind landings and other flight time. The private pilot also reported that the instructor pilot was dictating what and when the maneuvers would be performed. Following the accident the private pilot reported that the instructor pilot stated "there will be no charge for this one." The private pilot further reported that "this was his first real crosswind landing." The pilot reported the was from 210 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4079R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4079R-2021-07-15), registration cancelled 2021-07-15, S/N 32-40393, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40393 - Airframe hours: 2400 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540-K1A5 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Henderson, Paul J. - Registered owner: Henderson, Paul J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1992, 30 hours before - Departed: NONE, SCRANTON, AR - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Danville, runway 9, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 8,600 total, 115 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F ## 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 19930410009109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930410009109A), Apr 10, 1993: Piper PA32300, Danville, AR, Substantial damage. Drifted on flare for landing in crosswind. Began go around. Elevator struck runway light. Flew back to base. ## Other investigations on N4079R (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 CEN20LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA263), Jul 5, 2020: Piper PA32 (N4079R), Eveleth, MN, destroyed. Probable cause: The seizure of the airplane’s engine-driven fuel pump due to internal contamination, which led to a total loss of engine power. The source of the contamination could not be determined based on… 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.