# NTSB GAA19CA145: Piper PA32, N3708W, Lacon, IL, February 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2019, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Lacon, IL - Coordinates: 41.01889, -89.385833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0189&lon=-89.3858&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 September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 99016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA145 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a subsequent impact with a snowbank. ## 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-32-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103206), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing after a go-around, the airplane touched down about 5 ft left of the runway centerline and veered left. He corrected with opposite rudder and aileron, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway, and impacted a snowbank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 220° at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 13. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, after a go-around, the airplane touchdown about 5 feet to the left of runway centerline and veered left. He corrected with opposite rudder and aileron, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway, and impacted a snowbank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 220° at 9 knots, gusting 14 knots. The airplane landed on runway 13. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3708W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3708W-2019-09-10), registration cancelled 2019-09-10, S/N 32-621, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-621 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3306 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2018 - Departed: C75, Lacon, IL - Destination: C75, Lacon, IL - Airport: C75, Marshall County, runway 13, 4,003 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 159 total, 29 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: KC75 ## 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 20190214010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190214010279A), Feb 14, 2019: Piper PA-32-260, Lacon, IL, Substantial damage. Accident occured 14:00CDT on February 14,2019. FAA was not on the scene until February 26, 2019 due to the pilot's delay in reporting the accident. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99016. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.