# NTSB GAA18CA218: Piper PA 28-161, N8115Y, Pensacola, FL, April 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2018, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.398332, -87.348892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3983&lon=-87.3489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97061/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97061 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA218 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control and long landing in gusting wind conditions due to his shoe getting stuck on the brakes. ## 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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03040000): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03040000/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03040000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he landed with a left crosswind with about the final third of the 3,200-ft-long runway remaining. He reported that his ground speed was too fast, and after his initial brake application, he increased brake pressure and his right shoe became "stuck between the right pedal and the toe brake." The airplane veered to the right and exited the right side of the runway, striking a runway light before it collided with a creek where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. According to the METAR located 3 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 310° at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 36. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he landed with a left crosswind, and about the final 1/3 of the 3,200ft runway remaining. He reported that his ground speed was too fast and after his initial brake application, he increased brake pressure and his right shoe became "stuck between the right pedal and the toe brake." The airplane veered to the right and exited the right side of the runway, striking a runway light before it collided with a creek where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had aborted the landing earlier, or by diverting to an airport with more favorable wind conditions. According to the METAR located 3 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 310° at 12 knots and gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 36. According to the Manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook, the performance landing chart states that the airplane required a minimum ground roll of 560ft. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8115Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8115Y-2019-06-13), registration cancelled 2019-06-13, S/N 28-8016123, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-161 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8016123 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 14259 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wrong Bros Aviator Training School LLC - Registered owner: Wrong Bros Aviator Training School LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2018 - Departed: MOB, Mobile, AL - Destination: 82J, Pensacola, FL - Airport: 82J, Ferguson, runway 36, 3,200 × 200 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 92 total, 7 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KNPA, 3 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 20180415003699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180415003699A), Apr 15, 2018: Piper PA-28-161, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot used higher than usual airspeed on landing approach in gusty crosswind conditions. Aircraft touched down long resulting in loss of control. Pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97061. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466095&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.