# NTSB GAA18CA580: Piper PA28, N400JW, Van Nuys, CA, September 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 30, 2018, 16:21 local (23:21 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.20972, -118.489997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2097&lon=-118.4900&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA580 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98442/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98442 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA580 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## 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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare on runway 16L, he felt a wind gust from the right. To counter the gust, he applied left rudder and right aileron to lower the right wing. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane veered left, and he applied "minimal right steering and braking" to avoid overcorrecting and colliding with an airplane that was landing on runway 16R. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign before it came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airport's METAR reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare on runway 16L, he felt a gust of wind from the right. To counter the gust he applied, "left rudder" and right aileron to lower the right wing. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane veered to the left and he applied, "minimal right steering and braking" to avoid overcorrecting and colliding with an airplane that was landing on runway 16 right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign before it came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The meteorological aerodrome report for the airport that the pilot landed, reported that about the time of the accident. The wind was calm. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N400JW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N400JW), registered now, S/N 28-7405276, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-7405276 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 8852 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Airfleet Holdings Llc. - Registered owner: Airfleet Holdings Llc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2018 - Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16L, 4,013 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 94 total, 93 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KVNY ## 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 20180930016569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180930016569A), Sep 30, 2018: Piper PA-28-180, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. On approach to vny 16R, ATC directed pilot to switch to runway 16L. Pilot stated he was a little high for 16L, but continued approach. On landing, the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98442. 4.0 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=40473456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473457&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.