# NTSB GAA17CA103: Piper PA28, N9541W, Shreveport, LA, December 22, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 22, 2016, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Shreveport, LA
- Coordinates: 32.539722, -93.744445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5397&lon=-93.7444&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94541/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94541
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA103

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the low-wing airplane reported that, during the approach in variable crosswind conditions, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right for which he corrected and that he then continued the approach. He further reported that, about 10 ft above the runway, the airplane encountered another stronger wind gust from the right and he decided to go around. During the go-around, the airplane encountered yet another wind gust from the right; the right wing rose ,and the left wing dropped and contacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest on the left side of the runway. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The local reported weather about the time of the accident included wind from 060° at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 32.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the low wing airplane reported that during the approach in variable crosswind conditions, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right for which he corrected and continued the approach. He further reported, that about 10 feet above the runway the airplane encountered another stronger gust of wind from the right and he decided to go around. During the go-around, the airplane encountered yet another gust of wind from the right; the right wing rose and the left wing dropped and contacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest on the left side of the runway. The pilot reported there were no pre accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather at approximately the time of the accident reported; wind direction 060 degrees true, at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 32.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9541W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9541W-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 28-22971, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-22971
- Year built: 1967
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: DTN, Shreveport, LA
- Destination: DTN, Shreveport, LA
- Airport: DTN, Shreveport Downtown, runway 32, 5,018 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 26, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 228 total, 178 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observed at: KDTN

## 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 20161222019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161222019379A), Dec 22, 2016: Piper PA-28-140, Shreveport, LA, Substantial damage. During the landing sequence with a crosswind from the right, upon touchdown on runway 32 the pilot attempted to initiate a go-around after losing control of…

## Other investigations on N9541W (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 FTW95LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA220), May 28, 1995: Piper PA-28-140 (N9541W), Stephenville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. FACTORS WERE THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND HIGH GLIDEPATH DURING THE APPROACH.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94541. 428 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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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