# NTSB IAD99LA037: Piper PA-28-161, N8133H, Zelienople, PA, April 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1999, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.779331, -80.140213 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7793&lon=-80.1402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD99LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD99LA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning to practice crosswind landings in wind that exceeded the airplane's demonstrated capability and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor in the accident was the high wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot said he checked the weather and the local winds before departing to practice some 'crosswind flying.' The pilot stated that when the airplane climbed above the trees at the departure end of runway 35, 'I realized I had made a mistake...' The pilot returned for landing on runway 35. The airplane touched down, departed the right side of the runway, and struck a clump of small trees. Winds reported at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 40 knots. The demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane, and placarded on the dash panel, was 17 knots. The pilot reported he was unaware of the limitation prior to the accident. The pilot reported 260 hours of total flight experience, 36 hours of which was in make and model. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1999, at 1845 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8133H, was substantially damaged during collision with trees after landing at the Zelienople Municipal Airport (8G7), Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that originated at 8G7, approximately 1835. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to practice some "crosswind flying." He said he listened to the Butler County Airport (BTP) Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS) by telephone approximately 1630. The pilot said he checked the anemometer at the flying club for wind speed and direction at 8G7, before he began a preflight inspection of the airplane. He said, "The winds were coming out of 300 degrees at 4 to 8 knots gusting to about 17 [knots]." The pilot stated that prior to departure, he discussed flying in the windy conditions with another pilot at the club. After watching the club member depart, he decided to fly. He said, "I figured I could do it." The pilot said that when the airplane climbed above the trees at the departure end of runway 35, "I realized I had made a mistake..." In a written statement, the pilot reported: "...landing on runway 35 with the wind out of the west. The plane touched down on the runway just beyond the numbers at 70 knots. Before the nose wheel touched down, a strong gust pushed the aircraft off of the right side of the runway onto a flat grassy section. The left wheel struck one of the runway lights which were off to the side of the runway. I added power and reduced flaps from full to no flaps in an attempt to add more control and clear the approaching thicket. The left wing struck a small clump of saplings and was torn from the plane...The airplane was running normally at the time of the incident." The airplane subsequently came to rest in a clump of small trees and bushes. Butler County Airport was 10 miles east of 8G7. At 1555, the winds reported at BTP were from 230 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots. At 1755, the winds were reported from 240 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 26 knots. At the Beaver County Airport, 10 miles west of 8G7, the winds reported 5 minutes after the accident were from 270 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 40 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook and a placard on the dash panel of N8133H, the demonstrated maximum crosswind component for the Piper PA-28-161 was 17 knots. When the pilot was asked if he was aware of this limitation he said, "No, not until after the FAA pointed it out to me." The pilot reported 260 hours of total flight experience; 35 hours of which were in the PA-28. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8133H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8133H-2002-02-06), registration cancelled 2002-02-06, S/N 28-8016168, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8016168 - Airframe hours: 5771 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Condor Aero Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1998, 54 hours before - Departed: 8G7 - Airport: 8G7, Zelienople, runway 35, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 36 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BVI, 10 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 19990406003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990406003119A), Apr 6, 1999: Piper PA28161, Zelienople, PA, Destroyed. Acft was on final approach over rwy 17-35 when it was lifted by a gust of wind and struck some trees, other circumstances are unknown. (-23)the pilot (sole… 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.