# NTSB LAX05CA093: Piper PA-28-161, N973EL, Roosevelt, AZ, February 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 10, 2005, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Roosevelt, AZ - Coordinates: 33.639446, -111.056663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6394&lon=-111.0567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60998/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA093 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - muddy - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - landing gear,main gear - overload - landing gear,main gear - separation ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway and collided with obstacles during landing rollout. The pilot chose to make an unscheduled landing due to worsening weather along his planned route of flight. The airplane's approach speed was 10 knots faster than normal. Upon landing, the runway was muddy and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane continued off the runway and struck large rocks and cacti, substantially damaging the wings and main lading gear. The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 2005, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N973EL, veered off the runway and collided with obstacles during landing rollout at Roosevelt, Arizona. International Airline Training Academy was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country instructional flight departed Winslow, Arizona, at 1228, with a planned destination of Tucson, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 38.36 minutes north latitude and 111 degrees 03.40 minutes west longitude. During a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the operator stated that the pilot, while on a cross-country flight, diverted to Grapevine Airport in Roosevelt. The diversion was the effect of encountering unforeseen weather along the route. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He reported that the approach speed was 10 knots faster than normal. He said that he lost control about 1,000 feet before the end of the runway and veered left off the runway. After departing the runway, the airplane struck two large boulders and cacti, which caused damage to the wings and main landing gear. The pilot noted that the runway condition was soft and muddy at the time of landing. He stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N973EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N973EL-2006-03-30), registration cancelled 2006-03-30, S/N 288116240 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116240 - Airframe hours: 8752 - Engines: Lycoming D-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: International Airline Training Academy - Registered owner: Jean Marc Eloy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 2005, 70 hours before - Departed: KINW, Winslow, AZ - Destination: KRYN, Tucson, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 51AZ, Grapevine Airport, runway 35, 3,800 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 71 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg ## 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 20050210002369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050210002369A), Feb 10, 2005: Piper PA28161, Carefree, AZ, Destroyed. (-23) Private pilot on solo cross country from ryn to inw and return. Weather was checked by pilot and instructor before takeoff. After landing at iaw pilot… 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.