# NTSB GAA17CA037: Piper PA24, N8277P, Wagoner, OK, October 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2016, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Wagoner, OK - Coordinates: 35.964443, -95.341941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9644&lon=-95.3419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94268/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94268 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made the approach at 80 nautical miles per hour (knots) with full flaps, "crabbing into the wind," and during the landing roll a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer left of the runway centerline. The pilot further reported that he attempted to correct back to the centerline with rudder, but ran out of rudder authority. As the airplane veered off the left side of the runway the left wing impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind direction as variable, at a speed of 24 knots. The pilot landed runway 18. A weather reporting station 14 miles to the south, at 1353 reported wind 170 true at 17 knots gusting to 26 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he made the approach at 80 nautical miles per hour (knots) with full flaps, "crabbing into the wind," and during the landing roll a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer left of the runway centerline. The pilot further reported that he attempted to correct back to the centerline with rudder, but ran out of rudder authority. As the airplane veered off the left side of the runway the left wing impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind direction as variable, at a speed of 24 knots. The pilot landed runway 18. A weather reporting station 14 miles to the south, at 1353 reported wind 170 true at 17 knots gusting to 26 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8277P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8277P-2019-07-25), registration cancelled 2019-07-25, S/N 24-3529, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3529 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 4590 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2016 - Departed: BBG, BRANSON, MO - Destination: H68, Wagoner, OK - Airport: H68, Hefner-Easley, runway 18, 3,401 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 820 total, 730 in this make and model, 820 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KTQH, 17 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 20161016016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161016016739A), Oct 16, 2016: Piper PA-24-250, Wagoner, OK, Substantial damage. The subject aircraft/owner was attempting a landing on runway 18 at the Hefner-Easley Airport. Two witnesses reported that upon hearing the radio call on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94268. 869 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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. --- 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.