# NTSB GAA15CA149: Piper PA 28-180, N9069J, Novato, CA, June 28, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 28, 2015, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.143611, -122.556114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1436&lon=-122.5561&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91466/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91466
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper pitch control which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing the airplane bounced several times while attempting to compensate for a right quartering crosswind. The pilot stated that he believed the landing gear had failed as a result of the hard landing and, "intentionally guided the plane off the runway into the grass, in fear of an explosion." As a result of the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage as the left wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to or during flight that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing the airplane bounced several times while attempting to compensate for a right quartering crosswind. The pilot stated that he believed the landing gear had failed as a result of the hard landing and, "intentionally guided the plane off the runway into the grass, in fear of an explosion." As a result of the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage as the left wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to or during flight that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9069J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9069J-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 28-3104, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3104
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 3009.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rmg Partners Corp
- Registered owner: Rmg Partners Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2014, 132 hours before
- Departed: KRNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: KDVO, NOVATO, CA
- Airport: DVO, Novato, runway 13, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 388 total, 360 in this make and model, 293 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KDVO

## 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 20150628010859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150628010859A), Jun 28, 2015: Piper PA-28-180, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. 6/28/2015 - At 11:50 PDT, Novato CA. (Dvo) PA28-180, N9069J landing at dvo RWY13, veered off the runway and nosed into the eastern embankment of a ditch…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91466. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Weather (KDVO) (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Weather%20(KDVO)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Wreckage Path Diagram (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Wreckage%20Path%20Diagram%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Left Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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