# NTSB WPR09CA157: Piper PA-24-250, N8215P, San Luis Obispo, CA, March 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2009, 14:59 local (21:59 UTC) - Place: San Luis Obispo, CA - Coordinates: 35.23722, -120.642501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2372&lon=-120.6425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73519/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during touchdown he felt a change in the right crosswind component and his downwind (left) landing gear contacted the ground first. Subsequent right rudder corrections were insufficient and the airplane veered off of the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and impacted an airport perimeter fence. The right wing received an 18-inch-deep by 8-inch-wide indentation approximately 4 feet outboard of the wing root and impact damage to the right wing tip fuel tank. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 29, he felt a change in the right crosswind component and his downwind (left) landing gear contacted the ground first. Subsequent right rudder corrections were insufficient and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and impacted an airport perimeter fence. The right wing received an 18-inch-deep by 8-inch-wide indentation approximately 4 feet outboard of the wing root and the right wing tip fuel tank was impact damaged. Reported winds at the airport were from 020 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8215P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8215P), registered now, S/N 24-3468, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3468 - Airframe hours: 4907 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hodson Keith D - Registered owner: Hodson Keith D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2008 - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SBP, San Luis County Regional Apt, runway 29, 6,100 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 15 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBP ## 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 20090317004049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090317004049A), Mar 17, 2009: Piper PA24250, San Luis Obisp, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot stated he was performing a slip/crabbing into the wind due ot the crosswinds (33/12G18) for landing on rwy 29. Pilot stated upon touch down, the… ## Other investigations on N8215P (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 BFO89LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA011), Nov 19, 1988: Piper PA-24-250 (N8215P), Port Royal, VA, 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.