# NTSB FTW97LA152: Piper PA-38-112, N194BA, Stillwater, OK, March 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 29, 1997, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Stillwater, OK - Coordinates: 36.080253, -97.070617 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0803&lon=-97.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20193 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20193/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA152 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve and collapse of the nose gear. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis During the landing roll on runway 17 with a left crosswind, the airplane traveled approximately 500 feet, then veered left. The student pilot stated that he applied right rudder; however, the airplane continued to veer left, entering a skid. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway, then skidded approximately 30 feet on grass before coming to a full stop. The left crosswind component was calculated to be 9 to 10 knots. The Pilot's Operating Handbook listed the airplane's maximum demonstrated crosswind component as 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 1997, at 0945 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, N194BA, registered to and operated by Business Air Corporate Aviation Limited of Bethany, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing roll at Stillwater Municipal Airport, Stillwater, Oklahoma. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional solo cross country flight. The flight departed from Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 0905. In a written statement, the student pilot, who was receiving flight training under Title 14 CFR Part 61, reported that upon reaching Stillwater Municipal Airport, he entered a left pattern for runway 17. He further reported that after turning final, he extended the flaps at 70 knots indicated airspeed and then landed. The student pilot stated that the airplane traveled about 500 feet, then "violently" veered to the left. He further stated that he applied right rudder; however, the airplane continued to veer left, entering a skid. Subsequently, the "nose wheel gave way," and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and skidded approximately 30 feet on grass before coming to a full stop. According to the FAA inspector, the nose landing gear separated and contacted the left wing. The inspector reported that the left wing sustained structural damage. The winds reported by the National Weather Service at Stillwater at 0953 were from 100 degrees at 11 knots. The student pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 110 degrees at 11 knots. Using these wind conditions, a left crosswind component of 9 to 10 knots was calculated for the landing on runway 17. Review of the PA-38 Pilot's Operating Handbook revealed a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N194BA), registered now, S/N 38-82A0063 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-82A0063 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Business Air Corporate Aviatio - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PWA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Destination: SWO - Airport: SWO, Stillwater Municipal, runway 17, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970329039779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970329039779A), Mar 29, 1997: Piper PA38112, Stillwater, OK, Substantial damage. Student lost control landing in a crosswind. Skidded off runway. Tore off nose gear. Damaged wing. (-23) student pilot landed in gusty wind conditions and lost… 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.