# NTSB LAX05CA268: Piper PA-22-150, N6045D, Reno, NV, August 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667221, -119.87611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6672&lon=-119.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62244/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA268 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain lateral and directional control during the landing flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground - Nose down, landing - roll ## Analysis During the landing flare, the right wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane veered off the runway. Thereafter, the airplane came to rest adjacent to the runway, on level dirt terrain, and in a nose down attitude. The pilot said the accident occurred during the pilot's fourth touch-and-go landing on runway 26 upon encountering a southerly wind gust. No mechanical malfunction was experienced with the airplane. Minutes before and after the accident, the airport's wind was reported as calm. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2005, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6045D, veered off the runway while flaring for an intended touch-and-go landing on runway 26 at the Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The airplane came to rest on level, dirt terrain, in a nose down attitude adjacent to the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who co-owned the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was performed under the provision of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from the airport about 0730. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that she lost control of her airplane during the fourth touch-and-go landing when she encountered a southerly wind gust. The airplane touched down with its nose pointing in a southwesterly direction, and its right wing tip contacted the ground. No mechanical malfunction was experienced with the airplane. At 0756 and 0856, the airport's wind was reported calm. The visibility was at least 10 miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6045D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6045D), registered now, S/N 22-4698, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4698 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Diane Bigby - Registered owner: Greg and Diane Bigby - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4SD, Reno, CA - Destination: 4SD, Reno, CA - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 84 total, 84 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 160 °F, dew point 88 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: 4SD ## 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 20050814018949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050814018949A), Aug 14, 2005: Piper PA22150, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was conducting touch and go landings on runway 26. After fourth landing the pilot lost control and the aircraft ran off the left side of 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.