# NTSB GAA17CA123: Piper PA 28R, N4792T, Wichita, KS, January 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 24, 2017, 15:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Wichita, KS - Coordinates: 37.643611, -97.425834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6436&lon=-97.4258&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94652/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94652 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md) - [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-28R-200, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into the grass. During the runway excursion, the right wing impacted an airport sign, which resulted in substantial damage. After the airplane had stopped, the pilot taxied to the ramp without further incident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 2 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 310° at 22 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 1R. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the accident airplane, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 20 miles per hour/17.3 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into the grass. During the runway excursion, the right wing impacted an airport sign, which resulted in substantial damage. After the airplane had stopped, the pilot taxied to the ramp without further incident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 2 minutes before the accident the wind was 310° at 22 knots, wind gusts at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 1R. According to the pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 20 miles per hour/17.3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4792T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4792T), registered now, S/N 28R-7235109, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7235109 - Year built: 1972 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2016 - Departed: ICT, Wichita, KS - Destination: ICT, Wichita, KS - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: ICT, Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Na, runway 01R, 10,301 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 110 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 22 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.38 inHg - Observed at: KICT ## 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 20170124007199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170124007199A), Jan 24, 2017: Piper PA-28R-200, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. On January 24, 2016, at approximately 1612 hrs central standard time, the airman, and pilot-in-command, of a Piper arrow, PA-28R-200, was involved in an… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94652. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 678 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Crosswind Excerpt From POH (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452110&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crosswind%20Excerpt%20From%20POH-Master.PDF - Wind Vector Diagram Plot (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452111&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wind%20Vector%20Diagram%20Plot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452112&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. --- 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.