# NTSB MKC90LA096: Piper PA-11, N78812, Thedford, NE, April 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1990, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Thedford, NE
- Coordinates: 41.970966, -100.56977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9710&lon=-100.5698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND WHILE LANDING RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## 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 - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE TAIL WHEEL CONFIGURED ACFT, DURING GUSTY, CROSS WIND CONDITIONS, THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78812](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78812-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 11-1585, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-1585
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Most, Gordon G.
- Departed: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Destination: 5V3
- Airport: 5V3, Thomas Co., runway 26, 2,800 × 50 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.; flight hours: 114 total, 66 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHN, 10 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 19900424011729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900424011729A), Apr 24, 1990: Piper STCPA11, Thedford, NE, Substantial damage. Lost control and veered off runway landing in a severe gusty crosswind that exceeded aircrafts 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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