# NTSB IAD98LA040: Piper PA-32-300, N31699, Red Hook, NY, March 28, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 1998, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Red Hook, NY - Coordinates: 41.989475, -73.870231 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9895&lon=-73.8702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28286 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28286/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA040 ## Probable cause inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Related factors were: the gusty crosswind condition, and high vegetation that was encountered after departing the runway. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing on runway 19 with winds variable from the south and west at 10 knots and wind gusts to 25 knots. During the landing, the main landing gear touched down, and before the nosewheel touched down, a strong wind gust from the southwest lifted the airplane and right wing. The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway onto a wet, slippery wooded area. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 1998, at 1215 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N31699, was substantially damaged when it veered off the left side of the runway into bushes while landing at the Sky Park Airport, Redhook, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot said that he overflew the airport at 3,000 feet MSL, and the windsock favored runway 19. He said it was windy and gusty that day, and he estimated the winds were variable from the south and west. He said at the end of the flight, the wind was shifting back and forth, and the wind gusts were stronger. The pilot reported that during landing on runway 19, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear just beyond the numbers. Just before the nosewheel touched down, a strong wind gust from the southwest lifted the airplane, and the right wing. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into a grassy, wooded, brushy area. He said that he was unable to steer back onto the runway after the airplane veered off the left side of the runway due to the strong crosswind, and the wet, slippery grass. A weather reporting station about 25 miles away, reported winds from 230 degrees at 10 knots, and 30 minutes after the accident, reported the winds from 250 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot reported over 799 hours of total flight experience, including 589 hours in make and model. He said there were wind gusts to 25 knots, and that he experienced no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31699](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31699), registered now, S/N 32-7840142, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7840142 - Airframe hours: 3103 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K-1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard A Anthony - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: 46N - Airport: 46N, Sky Park, runway 19, 2,700 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 799 total, 589 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: POU, 25 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 19980328004489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980328004489A), Mar 28, 1998: Piper PA32300, Red Hook, NY, Substantial damage. Strong crosswind gust blew PA32 off runway into grass slope. Wing hit shrubs. Yawed into mooded shrubs. (.4)the pilot reported he was landing on runway 19 with… ## Other investigations on N31699 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC85LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA033), Nov 25, 1984: Piper PA-32-300 (N31699), Prospectville, PA, substantial damage 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.