# NTSB WPR13CA426: Piper PA28 - 161, N6313C, Lancaster, CA, September 21, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2013, 09:49 local (16:49 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.719654, -118.48011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7197&lon=-118.4801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA426
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88145/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88145
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA426

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.

## 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-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [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-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after landing the airplane pulled to the left, which he was not able to immediately recover from. The airplane continued to the left and impacted a taxiway sign with the right wing, substantially damaging the wing spar. After applying right rudder he was able to get the airplane tracking in the right direction, but the right main landing gear collapsed just after hitting the sign, which resulted in the airplane ground-looping to the right. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after landing the airplane pulled to the left, which he was not able to immediately recover from. The airplane continued to the left and impacted a taxiway sign with the right wing, substantially damaging the wing spar. After applying right rudder he was able to get the airplane tracking in the right direction, but the right main landing gear collapsed just after hitting the sign, which resulted in the airplane ground-looping to the right. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6313C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6313C), registered now, S/N 28-7816406, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 - 161 (161)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L-18785-39A
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 7542
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: William B Leslie
- Registered owner: Shouling & Philip Enterprise
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2013, 46 hours before
- Departed: WJF, Lancaster, CA
- Destination: IYK, Inyokern, CA
- Airport: WJF, General Willam J Fox Airfield, runway 24, 7,201 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: WJF

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88145. 1.9 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=40402351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-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.

---
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.