# NTSB WPR12CA419: Piper PA-28-180, N7971W, French Valley, CA, September 14, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 14, 2012, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: French Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 33.574165, -117.128334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5742&lon=-117.1283&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA419
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85036/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85036
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA419

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during a go-around following a sudden change in wind direction.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane drifted across the runway centerline during the final approach, and the pilot applied corrective control input. A gusting crosswind and high temperatures were present, and, as such, he continued the approach with the flaps retracted. He corrected for the wind by lowering the left wing, and applying right rudder control. During the flare, the wind direction shifted to a quartering tailwind, and the airplane veered to the right. Unable to keep the airplane over the runway, the pilot applied full engine power and initiated a go-around. The engine responded, but the airplane did not climb as expected, and its main landing gear made contact with the vertical stabilizer of an airplane on the taxiway. The airplane subsequently settled and landed in the adjacent parking apron, where it collided with five parked airplanes. The accident airplane’s left wing was substantially damaged, and all five parked airplanes also sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The airplane drifted across the runway centerline during the final approach, and the pilot applied corrective control input. Gusting crosswind and high temperatures were present, and as such, he continued the approach with the flaps retracted. He corrected for the wind by lowering the left wing, and applying right rudder control. During the flare, the wind direction shifted to a quartering tailwind, and the airplane veered to the right. Unable to keep the airplane over the runway, he applied full engine power and initiated a go-around. The engine responded, but the airplane did not climb as expected, and its main landing gear made contact with the vertical stabilizer of an airplane on the taxiway. The airplane subsequently settled and landed in the adjacent parking apron, where it collided with five parked airplanes. Both the accident airplane, and all five parked airplanes, sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7971W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7971W-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 28-2023, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2023
- Airframe hours: 2842
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2012, 12 hours before
- Departed: SDM, San Diego, CA
- Destination: F70, French Valley, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: F70, French Valley, runway 18, 6,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 1,858 total, 715 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KRIV, 20 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 20120914020651A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120914020651A), Sep 14, 2012: Piper PA-28-180, Murrieta, CA, Destroyed. At 1345 during an attempted cross wind landing the wind shifted to a tail wind this caused N7971W to loose directional control so the pilot elected to go…

## Other investigations on N7971W (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 CHI65D0094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65D0094), Mar 7, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N7971W), Crystal, MN, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85036. 4.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Damage to Accident Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 661 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20Accident%20Airplane-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Damage to Parked Airplanes (item 3, .PDF, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20Parked%20Airplanes-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Damage to Parked Airplanes (item 4, .PDF, 569 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Damage%20to%20Parked%20Airplanes-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Damage to Parked Airplanes (item 5, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Damage%20to%20Parked%20Airplanes-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 – Wing Damage to Parked Airplane (item 6, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20%E2%80%93%20Wing%20Damage%20to%20Parked%20Airplane-Master.PDF

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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