# NTSB NYC03LA105: Piper PA-22-150, Roanoke, VA, May 12, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2003, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke, VA
- Coordinates: 37.325279, -79.97528
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3253&lon=-79.9753&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA105

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds, and failure to maintain directional control.  A factor in this accident was the gusty 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - 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
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on runway 24, when the airplane experienced a wind gust just after touchdown. The airplane became airborne again and departed the left side of the runway.  The airplane impacted on a taxiway, which damaged the horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, rudder, right elevator, and portions of the fuselage.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions.  Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 290 degrees at 19 knots, with 30 knot gusts.

## Factual narrative

On May 12, 2003, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, Canadian registry CFKLW, was substantially damaged while landing at the Roanoke Regional Airport, Roanoke, Virginia.  The foreign certificated pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was owned by the pilot, and had been converted from a tri-cycle to tail-wheel landing gear configuration.

The pilot reported he was landing on runway 24, a 6,800-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway, when he experienced a wind gust, just after touchdown.  The airplane became airborne again, turned sideways, and departed the left side of the runway.  The airplane impacted on a taxiway, which damaged the horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, rudder, right elevator, and portions of the fuselage.

The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

The pilot reported 1,800 hours of total flight experience, which included about 1,000 hours in make and model.

Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 290 degrees at 19 knots, with 30 knot gusts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFKLW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6190
- Airframe hours: 5788
- Engines: Lycoming 150-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allen Hickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2003, 40 hours before
- Departed: DNL, AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: ROA, Roanoke, VA
- Airport: ROA, Roanoke Regional Airport, runway 24, 6,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 19 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: ROA

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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