# NTSB NYC02LA016: Piper PA-28-160, N5725W, Buckhannon, WV, October 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2001, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Buckhannon, WV - Coordinates: 38.980018, -80.219108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9800&lon=-80.2191&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 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53655/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA016 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor related to the accident were the gusting wind conditions. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis After two unsuccessful attempts to land on runway 29, due to crosswind conditions, the student pilot attempted a third landing. The airplane touched down about 400-600 feet beyond the runway threshold, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The student pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing; however, when he raised the nose of the airplane, the stall warning horn sounded. The student pilot realized that he would not be able to climb over an embankment and aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued into the embankment, sheared off the nose gear, and came to rest upright. The pilot estimated the wind from 270 degrees at 20 knots, gusts to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2001, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5725W, was substantially damaged while landing at the Upshur County Regional Airport (W22), Buckhannon, West Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, upon arrival at W22, he made a low pass over the airport to observe the wind indicator, which was a flag on a pole. The flag indicated that the wind was gusty, straight down the runway. The student pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 29. While on final approach, the student pilot experienced a strong crosswind 10-15 feet above the runway, and executed a go-around. On the student pilot's second attempt to land, he experienced the same wind conditions and again, elected to execute a go-around. On the student pilot's third attempt to land, the airplane touched down about 400-600 feet beyond the runway threshold, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The student pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing; however, when he raised the nose of the airplane, the stall warning horn sounded. The student pilot realized that he would not be able to climb over an embankment and aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued into the embankment, sheared off the nose gear, and came to rest upright. A fire developed in the engine compartment and was extinguished by the student pilot. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that besides the landing gear damage, the firewall was buckled, the propeller tips were curled, and spar damage to the right wing was observed. The pilot estimated the wind from 270 degrees at 20 knots, gusts to 25 knots. The recorded weather at an airport located 11 miles southeast of W22, about the time of the accident, included winds from 300 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5725W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5725W-2024-01-20), registration cancelled 2024-01-20, S/N 28-1299 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1299 - Airframe hours: 5629 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Razair, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2001, 105 hours before - Departed: W22, Buckhannon, WV - Destination: CMH, Columbus, OH - Airport: W22, Upshur County Regional Airport, runway 29, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 1 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: EKN, 11 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 20011021031979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011021031979A), Oct 21, 2001: Piper PA28160, Buchanon, WV, No damage. (-23) Student pilot lost control after landing on runway 11, with a crosswind and struck an embankment, approximately 50 feet south of runway. (.19) on October… ## Other investigations on N5725W (1) 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 SEA73DYE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73DYE03), Jul 10, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N5725W), Vashon Hghts, WA, 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.