# NTSB IAD03CA059: Piper Saratoga II TC PA32-, N9298D, Mansfield, OH, June 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2003, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Mansfield, OH - Coordinates: 40.824443, -82.516387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8244&lon=-82.5164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57309 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57309/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - runway light ## Analysis The pilot reported that he attempted to land on the first third of the runway, at an airspeed of 90 knots, while maintaining the runway centerline. During the landing flare, a wind gust turned the airplane approximately 10 degrees to the left. The airplane landed, went off the runway and into the grass, and struck runway lights and signs. Winds were reported as 30 degrees from the right, at 13, gusting to 17 knots ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2003, about 1335 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N9298D, was substantially damaged during a landing at Mansfield Lahm Municipal Airport (MFD), Mansfield, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers were not injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Tri Cities Regional Airport (TRI), Blountville, Tennessee, about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, an air traffic controller who was working the local control tower, he cleared the airplane to land on runway 32. The controller thought that the airplane was flaring a "little too high," and it landed on the left side of the runway. He thought he saw dust or smoke coming from behind the airplane and called crash, fire, and rescue. The pilot turned off at the next taxiway and the controller asked if everything was okay. The pilot said yes, and the controller directed him to taxi. In a written statement, the pilot said that he attempted to land on the first third of the runway, at an airspeed of 90 knots, while maintaining the runway centerline. During the landing flare, a wind gust turned the airplane approximately 10 degrees to the left. The airplane turned to the left, went off the runway into the grass, struck runway lights and signs, then turned back onto the runway The pilot said the landing was bumpy, but was unaware he had struck anything until he was parked at a hanger. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the airplane on June 23, 2003. According to the inspector, the left main landing was partially separated from the airplane, the left wing was wrinkled, and the left fuel tank was punctured. The pilot reported a total of 327 flight hours, of which, 123 were in make and model. Weather reported at the airport, included winds from 350 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots, temperature 72 degrees F, dewpoint 51 degrees F, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.04 inches Hg. The visibility was 10 statute miles and clear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9298D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9298D), registered now, S/N 3257002, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper Saratoga II TC PA32- - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3257002 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert H. Harshbarger - Registered owner: Aims Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TRI, Tri-Cities Regi, TN - Destination: MFD, Mansfield Lahm, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 327 total, 122 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030621029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030621029009A), Jun 21, 2003: Piper PA32R301T, Mansfield, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) In a written statement, the pilot said that he attempted to land on the first third of the runway, at an airspeed of 90 knots, while maintaining the… 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.