# NTSB GAA19CA028: Piper PA28, N41390, Hastings, MI, October 18, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2018, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Hastings, MI
- Coordinates: 42.664443, -85.345275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6644&lon=-85.3453&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98522/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98522
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA028

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing sideways and a subsequent runway excursion.

## 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-28-151, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102805), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102805), [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-28-151, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, while observing the solo student pilot's flight from the ground, the approach looked good, but the airplane might have been fast. As the airplane flared, he noticed the right wing "kind of pop up" just before touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane landed sideways and exited the left side of the runway. The instructor added that the student was unsure of what happened but reported that he had just lost control. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, while observing the solo student pilot's flight from the ground, the approach looked good, but the airplane might have been fast. As the airplane flared, he noticed the right wing "kind of pop up" just before touch down. Subsequently, the airplane landed sideways and exited the left side of the runway. The instructor added that, the student was unsure of what happened, but reported that he had just lost control. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41390](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41390-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 28-7415198, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (151)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415198
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 12464.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-320E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2018
- Departed: 9D9, Hastings, MI
- Destination: 9D9, Hastings, MI
- Airport: 9D9, Hastings, runway 30, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12.1 total, 12.1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.51 inHg
- Observed at: KGRR, 15 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 20181018020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181018020269A), Oct 18, 2018: Piper PA-28-151, Hastings, MI, Substantial damage. On October 18, 2018 at approximately 9:58 am eastern daylight time (EDT), a PA-28-151 aircraft, N41390, registered to an individual and operated by a student…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98522. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.

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