# NTSB GAA18CA579: Piper PA28, N8172N, Porterville, CA, August 31, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2018, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Porterville, CA - Coordinates: 36.029445, -119.062774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0294&lon=-119.0628&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA579 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98411/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98411 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA579 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/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-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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-28-181, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and that the airplane floated about 100 ft and landed normally. About 400 ft into the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and collided with taxiway lights before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead. The pilot reported that, during landing, the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident, she and her passenger saw dust devils close to the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's METAR reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 30. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and the airplane floated about 100 feet and landed normally. About 400 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway and collided with taxiway lights prior to coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead. She reported that during landing the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident she and her passenger witnessed dust devils close to the runway. The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8172N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8172N), registered now, S/N 28-8090261 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8090261 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 7766 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flyers Club - Registered owner: San Diego Aircraft Holdings Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2018 - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: PTV, Porterville, CA - Airport: PTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 5,960 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,455 total, 113 in this make and model, 3,455 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KPTV ## 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 20180831012709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180831012709A), Aug 31, 2018: Piper PA-28-181, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. On 08/31/2018, the PIC and her passenger were conducting a personal flight from southern California to northern California and were landing for fuel at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98411. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.