# NTSB LAX05CA067: Piper PA-28-161, N8351W, Tucson, AZ, January 8, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 8, 2005, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.141944, -111.174446
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1419&lon=-111.1744&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA067

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

The airplane struck a taxiway location sign during landing rollout.  After touchdown, the pilot applied braking pressure, attempting to slow the airplane for a turn onto the adjacent taxiway.  The pilot then decided to continue the landing rollout to the next taxiway and added power.  As the airplane approached the taxiway, the pilot applied left rudder and the airplane responded by veering to the left.  The pilot said he lost control, and the airplane overran the taxiway into the nearby grass.  The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back to the taxiway, and the leading edge of the right wing collided with a taxiway location sign.

## Factual narrative

On January 8, 2005, about 1505 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8351W, struck a taxiway location sign during landing rollout at Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, Arizona.  International Aviation Training Academy was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The local instructional flight originated about 1400.

In a written report, both the operator and the pilot reported that the airplane touched down abeam taxiway A4 on runway 24L.  The pilot applied brake pressure, attempting to slow the airplane for a turn onto the adjacent taxiway.  The pilot then decided to continue the landing rollout to the next taxiway and added power.  As the airplane approached the taxiway, the pilot applied left rudder and the airplane responded by veering to the left.  The pilot said he lost control, and the airplane overran the taxiway into the nearby grass.  The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back to the taxiway, and the leading edge of the right wing collided with a taxiway location sign.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8351W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8351W), registered now, S/N 28-8116176, built 1981 (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: 28-8116176
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 -E3D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: International Airline Training Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ
- Destination: RYN, Tucson, AZ
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport, runway 24R, 5,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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.

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