# NTSB LAX06CA159: Piper PA-28-181, N441MA, Columbia, CA, May 3, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2006, 14:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 38.030277, -120.414443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0303&lon=-120.4144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63635/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA159 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway surface and collided with terrain. The pilot completed a normal approach and touched down on the runway surface. After a short ground roll the left wing lifted and the airplane began to veer from the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to rectify the heading deviation with use of the aileron and rudder controls. Despite his attempts, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, coming to rest in a ditch. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 160 degrees at 8 knots. An airplane mechanic inspected the wreckage after the accident. He noted no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain. The pilot received the Automated Weather Observing Station (AWOS) information for the destination airport while en route on the 141 nautical mile cross-country flight. As he entered the proximity of the airport, he observed other airplanes in the traffic pattern utilizing runway 17. He completed a normal approach and touched down on the runway surface. After a short ground roll the left wing lifted and the airplane began to veer from the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to rectify the heading deviation with use of the aileron and rudder controls. Despite his attempts the airplane departed the right side of the runway, coming to rest in a ditch. The airplane incurred damage to the right wing spar and firewall. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 160 degrees at 8 knots. An airplane mechanic inspected the wreckage after the accident. He noted no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The Airport Facility Directory Southwest (AFD/SW) contained the following entry in the "Airport Remarks" section for the destination airport: "Varying wind directions and velocity may be encountered at mid point of runway 17-35 due to terrain features and wind flow patterns." The pilot indicated that he had reviewed the AFD comments prior to departing for the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N441MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N441MA-2006-07-24), registration cancelled 2006-07-24, S/N 2843341, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 2843341 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Justice Aviation - Registered owner: Scott G. White - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: PRB, Paso Robles, CA - Destination: O22, Columbia, CA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: O22, Columbia Airport, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 540 total, 470 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 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 20060503005309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060503005309A), May 3, 2006: Piper PA28181, Columbia, CA, Destroyed. (-23) After a normal approach, and 2-3 seconds after landing, the plane suddenly veered to the right as the left wing lifted, due to a sudden strong gust of… 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.