# NTSB LAX96LA162: Piper PA-28-140, N7561R, Palm Springs, CA, April 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 1996, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.849365, -116.560363 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8494&lon=-116.5604&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29413/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA162 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control. The crosswind 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) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control during the landing roll, exited the runway, and collided with an airport sign. The pilot said that he lost control of the airplane due to the prevailing 30 to 40-degree crosswind component between 15 and 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 1996, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA28-140, N7561R, veered off the runway and collided with an airport taxi sign during the landing roll on runway 31L at Palm Springs Airport, Palm Springs, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Palm Springs Airport at 0900 hours. The pilot stated in the accident report that he lost control of the airplane due to the prevailing 15 to 25 knots crosswind. He indicated that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Riverside [California] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation. The inspector reported that a controller at the Palm Springs airport traffic control tower reported that he saw smoke coming from the left wheel during the roll. The airplane then swerved to the left and its left wing struck the airport taxi sign. The inspector reported that the left tire did not exhibit any abnormal wear or flat spots. The brake system operated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7561R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7561R-1997-06-03), registration cancelled 1997-06-03, S/N 2822125 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22125 - Airframe hours: 3187 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Buries - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1995, 101 hours before - Departed: PSP - Airport: PSP, Palms Springs, runway 31L, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,240 total, 140 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PSP ## 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 19960404009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960404009019A), Apr 4, 1996: Piper PA28140, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control during crosswind landing veered off runway. Struck airport sign. Excessive crosswind. Lacked skill. ## Other investigations on N7561R (2) 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. - [NTSB LAX70DUG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70DUG13), Feb 14, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N7561R), Palm Spring, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX67D0392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0392), May 4, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N7561R), Palm Sprgs., CA, substantial damage 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.