# NTSB LAX92LA371: Piper PA-28-235, N8647W, Casa Grande, AZ, August 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1992, 14:41 local (21:41 UTC)
- Place: Casa Grande, AZ
- Location: 32.9549° N, 111.7668° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CASA GRANDE MUNI (CGZ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9549&lon=-111.7668&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA371

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTY NATURE OF THE CROSS WIND CONDIITONS ENCOUNTERED WAS A 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON RUNWAY 5 AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER ENCOUNTERING A 'BAD CROSS WIND.' THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT FIXTURE WITH THE LEFT WING TIP, CARTWHEELED, THEN NOSED OVER. A AUTOB WEATHER OBSERVATION TAKEN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTING WINDS FROM 150 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 21 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8647W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8647W), registered now, S/N 28-10163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10163
- Airframe hours: 2519
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William S. Thomas
- Registered owner: William S. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1991, 40 hours before
- Departed: CGZ
- Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Muni, runway 5, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 34 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: CGZ, 1 nm away

## 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 19920829034149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920829034149A), Aug 29, 1992: Piper PA28235, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control and dragged a wing on gusty crosswind landing. Cartwheeled. Nosed over. Exceeded crosswind component.

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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