# NTSB NYC94LA019: Piper PA-28-180, N6566J, Somerset, PA, October 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1993, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Somerset, PA
- Coordinates: 39.999053, -79.070472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9991&lon=-79.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA019

## Probable cause

was the failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and maintain directional control.  A factor related to the accident were the gusting crosswinds.

## 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)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - collapsed
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON RUNWAY 24, HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND; THE AIRPLANE LIFTED, DESCENDED, AND TOUCHED DOWN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND IT CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND WERE GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On Monday, October 26, 1993, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N6566J, owned and piloted by Mr. David W. Sadler, of Stahlstown, Pennsylvania, nosed over while landing at Somerset Municipal Airport, Somerset, Pennsylvania.  The airplane received substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

According to NTSB form 6120.1/2. The Pilot stated:

...When I reported final for [runway] 24 Somerset, I      received an airport advisory,...the winds were 15kts      gusting to 22kts at 180 [degrees].  I approached the      runway in a sideslip and touched down near the 1000      foot marker. As I was in the rollout, A gust of wind      picked the nose of the airplane up, then the entire      airplane went airborne...I was well below my stall      speed and unable to regain airspeed for sustained      flight....

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors report stated, "...when it [the aircraft] came back down, the aircraft was off the right side of the runway. Upon impact, the nose gear broke, the propeller struck the ground along with the right wing tip. In approximately 30 feet the nose of the aircraft struck the ground causing the aircraft to tip over on it's back...."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6566J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6566J-1994-07-15), registration cancelled 1994-07-15, S/N 285018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5018
- Airframe hours: 2947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David W. Sadler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1993, 25 hours before
- Departed: AOO, ALTOONA, PA
- Airport: 2G9, Somerset, runway 24, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 134 total, 126 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19931026040809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931026040809A), Oct 26, 1993: Piper PA28180, Somerset, PA, Substantial damage. On rollout wind picked up aircraft it came down off runway nose first. Nose gear broke. Nosed over.

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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