# NTSB LAX97LA188: Piper PA-28R-201, N38718, Henderson, NV, May 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1997, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 36.040699, -114.929115 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0407&lon=-114.9291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA188 ## Probable cause the pilot's attempt to land the aircraft under crosswind conditions that exceeded the performance capability of the aircraft. ## 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 - light condition - daylight - weather condition - crosswind - aircraft performance,crosswind capability - exceeded (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot initiated an approach to runway 18 with the right wing low and landed on the right main gear. After the right tire touched down, the right wing came up and the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft ran off the left side of the runway and struck a row of very large rocks that were alongside the runway. The main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slid into a 8-foot rocky drop-off. The pilot stated that he did not have enough airspeed to attempt a go-around so he opted to allow the aircraft to run off the runway. The tower advised the pilot that surface winds were from 230 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25. The pilot operating handbook for the aircraft states the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 17 knots. Considering that limitation, the maximum allowable component for a 50-degree crosswind was computed to be 19.15 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1997, at 1540 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201, ran off the runway and struck a ditch while landing in Henderson, Nevada. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the pilot nor his passenger was injured. The aircraft was being operated by the pilot/owner as a personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Bakersfield, California, about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport and no flight plan was filed. The tower operator reported that the pilot had made four previous go-arounds to runway 18 before landing on the fifth attempt. The pilot initiated the approach with the right wing low and landed on the right main gear. After the right tire touched down, the right wing came up and the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft ran off the left side of the runway about 100 feet beyond the point of initial touchdown and struck a row of very large rocks that were alongside the runway. The main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft stopped after sliding into a 8-foot rocky drop-off. The pilot stated that he did not have enough airspeed to attempt a go-around so he opted to allow the aircraft to run off the runway. The tower advised the pilot that the surface winds were from 230 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25. The pilot operating handbook for the aircraft states the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38718](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38718), registered now, S/N 28R-7737111, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R7737111 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-CIC6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: S & S Flight Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 28, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA - Destination: L15, NV - Airport: L15, Henderson, runway 18, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 97 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 18 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 7 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 19970517013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970517013929A), May 17, 1997: Piper PA28R201, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot initiated an approach to runway 18 with the right wing low and landed on the right main gear. After the right tire touched down, the right wing… 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.