# NTSB LAX98LA276: Piper PA-28-140, N291HA, Henderson, NV, August 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1998, 19:51 local (Aug 17, 1998, 02:51 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 36.040042, -114.930725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0400&lon=-114.9307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43851/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA276 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 - dusk - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis At the completion of a 2-hour cross-country flight, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 18 with the winds reported as 190 degrees at 8 knots. On final approach the pilot noticed the airplane was being pushed to the left and tried correcting with right control yoke and left rudder. He stated he had the second notch of flaps engaged and power on. During the flare the stall light came on. He indicated this startled and distracted him and that he kept the throttle in until he was off the runway. He pulled power as the aircraft entered a rocky area near the runway. The pilot reported that the lighting conditions at this time of day, shortly after sundown, affected his visual acuity. Sunset was at 1933; civil twilight began at 2001. A computer sun-moon program determined the sun was at -4.2 degrees on a magnetic bearing of 277.7 degrees. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1998, at 1951 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N291HA, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of runway 18 while landing at the Henderson, Nevada, airport. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the owner/operator. The private pilot, the sole occupant, departed from Gillespie Field in San Diego, California, at 1750 for the personal flight to Henderson. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured. A review of the recorded air-ground communications tapes from the Henderson air traffic control tower indicated the pilot was advised on his initial contact that winds were 190 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot asked the tower to repeat the winds and they complied. On final approach the pilot stated he noticed the aircraft was pushing to the left and tried correcting with right control yoke and left rudder. He had the second notch of flaps selected and power on. He said that in the flare he was startled and distracted by the stall light coming on. In his excitement he kept the throttle full in until he was off the runway. The aircraft encountered rocks and came to a stop. The pilot reported that the lighting conditions at the time of day, shortly after sundown, affected his visual acuity. A sun-moon computer program determined the sun was at -4.2 degrees on a magnetic bearing of 277.7 degrees. Sunset was at 1933; civil twilight began at 2001. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N291HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N291HA), registered now, S/N 28-22138, built 1966 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22138 - Airframe hours: 2778 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tony Texiera - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1998 - Departed: SEE, SAN DIEGO, CA - Destination: L15 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L15, Las Vegas Henderson, runway 18, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 112 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 325 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 19980816020939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980816020939A), Aug 16, 1998: Piper PA28140, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. (.4) On August 16, 1998, at 1951 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N291HA, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side 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.