# NTSB FTW98LA090: Piper PA-28-140, N2343T, Ruidoso, NM, December 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 1997, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Ruidoso, NM - Coordinates: 33.350276, -105.68 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3503&lon=-105.6800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20513 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20513/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA090 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Related factors were: the gusty crosswind condition, icy runway, and proximity of the snowbank. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the landing roll on an icy runway, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a snow bank. According to the pilot, a 'sudden gust' of wind 'pushed' the airplane to the left. The pilot reported that at the time of the landing on runway 24, the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the airport was reporting winds from 290 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 21 knots. According to the log kept by airport personnel at the time of the accident, the winds were from 280 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 1997, at 1420 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N2343T, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with a snow bank following a loss of control during the landing roll on runway 24 at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport near Ruidoso, New Mexico. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross country flight that departed San Angelo, Texas, at 1250 central standard time. In a written statement provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that at the time of the landing the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the airport was reporting "winds 290 degrees at 10 gusting to 21." He stated that at an "airspeed of approx. 55-60 mph, both main wheels [were] just on the ground [when] the airplane was pushed to the left by sudden gust." He further stated that there were "unexpected" patches of "icy" snow on the runway, and "the left main gear went into the snow bank (approx. 2 foot deep)." The airplane then turned to the left, "plowed" into the snow, and "came to a stop in approx. 50-60 feet." The pilot reported to the New Mexico State Police that during the landing roll on the "icy runway, a gust of wind caught the plane and pushed it off the runway and into the snow bound shoulder." According to the log kept by airport personnel, at the time of the accident, the winds were from 280 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. The log indicated that the winds 8 minutes after the accident were from 280 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots, and 41 minutes after the accident, the winds were from 300 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane reported that the propeller blades were bent, the leading edges of both wings were damaged, and the left wing appeared to be displaced aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2343T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2343T), registered now, S/N 28-7225049, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225049 - Airframe hours: 6400 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wilhelm C. Benker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX - Destination: SRR - Airport: SRR, Sierra Blanca Regional, runway 24, 8,101 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 32 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19971227041509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971227041509A), Dec 27, 1997: Piper PA28140, Ruidoso, NM, Substantial damage. During landing roll, a gust of wind pushed aircraft off icy runway into snow covered shoulder. Damaged prop and win (.4) on December 27, 1997, at 1420 mountain… 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.