# NTSB NYC94LA163: Piper PA-28R-180, N3256R, Vine Grove, KY, September 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1994, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Vine Grove, KY - Coordinates: 37.810245, -85.970428 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8102&lon=-85.9704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's (1) inadequate compensation for wind conditions and (2) failure to align with the runway during landing touch down. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post ## Analysis AFTER A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL TO THE PRIVATE GRASS STRIP WHERE THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED. HE HELD LEFT CONTROL CORRECTION ON FINAL FOR A LEFT QUARTERING HEAD WIND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AT GROUND LEVEL THE WIND 'QUIT.' THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN GEAR OFF OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO DIRECT THE AIRPLANE TO THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED ABOUT 90 FEET, THE LEFT GEAR WENT INTO A DITCH, AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A WOODEN POST. THE AIRPLANE THEN DID A LEFT GROUND LOOP. WINDS REPORTED 11 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE AT 060 DEGREES AT 8 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1994, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, owned and piloted by Alfred Barr, was substantially damaged during landing at the Vine Grove Airport, Vine Grove, Kentucky. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he was using left control and correction on final, to compensate for a quartering left head wind, while landing on runway 11. He further stated: "...At ground level the wind quit. I touched down heading slightly left of the runway center. I tried to steer right with rudder with no response, probably because the grass runway was wet with dew. The aircraft continued until the left main gear went into a ditch, and left wing end hit a short post..." In the FAA Inspector's statement, he stated that his investigation revealed the airplane touched down on the left side of the runway with the left half of the airplane off of the runway. The airplane travelled approximately thirty yards when it struck a wooden post with the left wing. The airplane continued in a sharp left turn causing the left and right main landing gear to collapse. Winds at an airport, 6 miles north of Vine Grove, were reported to be from 060 degrees an 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3256R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3256R-2015-10-19), registration cancelled 2015-10-19, S/N 28R-31253, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-31253 - Airframe hours: 4449 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-BIE 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: C.B. Severs, Elsie M. Barr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1994, 0 hours before - Airport: KY70, Vine Grove, runway 11, 2,300 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 830 total, 388 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTK, 6 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 19940901024859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940901024859A), Sep 1, 1994: Piper PA28R180, Vine Grove, KY, Substantial damage. Landed left main off side of runway wing struck a post. Ground looped, collapsed main gear. Blamed crosswind. 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.