# NTSB LAX00LA147: Piper PA-24, N180BC, Herlong, CA, April 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 2000, 19:30 local (Apr 7, 2000, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Herlong, CA - Coordinates: 40.140106, -120.159957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1401&lon=-120.1600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48901/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA147 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting crosswind 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 - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - 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 - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing rollout, while at about 50 mph, a strong gust of wind hit him from the left. The airplane veered to the right off the runway, then continued through a metal fence and into a field. There was damage to the left wing, aileron, and landing gear. The pilot reported that the winds at the airport at the time of the accident were from the southwest at 25 to 35 knots, gusting to 35 knots and higher. According to the manufacturer, there is no published maximum crosswind component for the PA-24. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2000, at 1930 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24, N180BC, veered off the runway and impacted a metal fence after landing at the Herlong, California, airport. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was not injured. The personal cross-country flight, conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, had originated in Creswell, Oregon, about 1800, and was terminating at the time of the accident. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that after flying over the airport to check the wind conditions, he performed a normal landing to runway 24. During the landing rollout, while at about 50 mph, a strong gust of wind hit him from the left. The airplane veered to the right off the runway, then continued through a metal fence and into a field. There was damage to the left wing, aileron, and landing gear. The pilot reported that the winds at Herlong at the time of the accident were from the southwest at 25 to 35 knots, gusting to 35 knots and higher. According to the manufacturer, there is no published maximum crosswind component for the PA-24. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180BC-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 24-1233, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1233 - Airframe hours: 4700 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Crum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2000, 8 hours before - Departed: 77S, CRESWELL, OR - Destination: Q73 - Airport: Q73, Herlong, runway 24, 3,260 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 2,380 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 250° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 47 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 20000406006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000406006009A), Apr 6, 2000: Piper PA24, Herlong, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he circled the Herlong Airport twice, noting that the wind sock was blowing intermittently in different directions. Upon landing, 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.