# NTSB GAA17CA157: Piper PA 28-140, N4404T, Weiser, ID, February 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 25, 2017, 12:32 local (19:32 UTC) - Place: Weiser, ID - Coordinates: 44.20639, -116.962501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2064&lon=-116.9625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94033 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94033/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94033 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA157 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and to maintain clearance from a snow berm during the aborted landing. ## 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-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot in the tricycle-gear-equipped airplane reported that he was flying a solo cross-country flight and landed on the 60-ft-wide asphalt runway. He recalled that there were 4-ft-high snow berm that paralleled the edges of the runway. When he touched down, he applied the brakes, and the airplane yawed to the left. In fear of striking the snow berm, he initiated a go around and rotated about 65 kts. The airplane climbed about 2 ft above the runway, but the left main landing gear wheel struck the snow berm on the left side of the runway. The left tire and brake assembly separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest in the snow-covered safety area left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing ribs and aileron. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot in the tricycle gear-equipped airplane reported that he was flying a solo cross-country flight and landed on the 60-foot wide asphalt runway. He recalled that there were 4-foot high snow berm that paralleled the edges of the runway. When he touched down, he applied the brakes and the airplane yawed to the left. In fear of striking the snow berm, he initiated a go around and rotated about 65 kts. The airplane climbed about two feet above the runway but the left main landing gear wheel struck the snow berm on the left side of the runway. The left tire and brake assembly separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest in the snow-covered safety area left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing ribs and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4404T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4404T-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 28-7225165, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-140 (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: 28-7225165 - Year built: 1972 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2016 - Departed: U76, MOUNTAIN HOME, ID - Destination: U76, Mountain Home, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KS87, Weiser Municipal, runway 12, 400 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KONO, 13 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 20170225001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170225001789A), Feb 25, 2017: Piper PA-28-140, Weiser, ID, Substantial damage. The student pilot was departing runway 12 at Weiser. On lift- off/climbout, he failed to correct as he drifted left of centerline impacting a 4' snow bank. Due… ## Other investigations on N4404T (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 LAX73FUA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUA04), Jul 23, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N4404T), Torrance, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94033. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.