# NTSB LAX02LA113: Piper PA-28-180, N7837W, Denio, NV, March 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 2002, 12:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Denio, NV - Coordinates: 41.953334, -118.630554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9533&lon=-118.6306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind condition. Wind gust is a contributing factor. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot reported that due to soft/sandy runway conditions, he was performing a soft-field takeoff procedure. Prior to boarding the airplane, he walked the runway to evaluate the surface condition, and determined that the wind was favoring a takeoff on runway 7. He reported the wind from 080 degrees at 15 knots, gusts to 20 knots. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane neared lift-off at minimum flying speed, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to veer to the right edge of the runway. He elected to abort the takeoff, and the airplane crossed a ditch and came to rest. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 2002, at 1238 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7837W, veered off the runway during takeoff and came to rest off the runway at Denio Junction Airport, Denio, Nevada. The private certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight, operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, was destined for Reno/Stead airport, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the Safety Board investigator that, due to soft/sandy runway conditions, he was performing a soft-field takeoff procedure. Prior to boarding the airplane he walked the runway to assess the surface condition, and determined that the surface wind was favoring a takeoff on runway 7 (3,100 x 150, dirt). Wind conditions were gusty and variable. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane neared liftoff at minimum flying speed, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to veer to the right edge of the runway. He elected to abort the takeoff and the airplane crossed a ditch and came to rest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7837W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7837W), registered now, S/N 28-1854, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 3446 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Burnett - Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 2002, 16 hours before - Departed: E85, Denio, NV - Destination: 4SD, Reno, NV - Airport: E85, Denio Junction Airport, runway 07, 3,100 × 150 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 93 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Observed at: WMC ## 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 20020320003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020320003789A), Mar 20, 2002: Piper PA28180, Denio, NV, No damage. (-23) The pilot attempted a soft field takeoff on runway 07 and at lift-off experienced a wind gust that he was unable to correct for. The pilot elected to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54373. 435 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.