# NTSB WPR19LA180: Piper PA28R, N786N, Chandler, AZ, June 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 29, 2019, 18:55 local (Jun 30, 2019, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.269111, -111.81111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2691&lon=-111.8111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Piper Aircraft, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99730/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99730 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting right quartering headwind, which resulted in a collapse of the left main landing gear. ## 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-28R-200, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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-28R-200, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a second touch-and-go landing with a gusting right quartering headwind. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing dropped. The pilot compensated for the sideward movement by applying full right rudder, which yawed the airplane to the right. The airplane touched down about this time and the pilot immediately applied full brakes. However, the airplane was canted to the right as it continued down the runway bearing a sideload on the left main landing gear until the left gear collapsed. The airplane ground looped and came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage. Examination of the landing gear did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. The accident was most likely a result of a side load to the left main landing gear due to the pilot’s overcompensation of rudder control while landing in a right quartering crosswind. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2019, about 1850 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N786N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD) Chandler, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was seated in the right seat and his son, who was not a pilot, was seated in the left seat at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he often alternated seats on different flights for proficiency. They flew from Stellar Airpark (P19) to CHD to practice landings and takeoffs. The first touch-and-go landing on runway 22R was uneventful. The pilot reported that the second landing was normal, but, during the rollout, the airplane began to drift to the left and the left wing dropped. The pilot applied full right rudder to counteract the movement and the airplane yawed to the right. He applied brakes as the airplane moved to the right, but, seconds later, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop on the runway with the left wing and left stabilator contacting the runway. The nose landing gear and right main landing gear remained extended and locked, but the left main landing gear appeared to be mostly retracted into its wheel well. Examination of the recovered airframe revealed substantial damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage. The 1856 CHD special weather observation reported wind from 260° at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots. Examination of the main landing gear system revealed that the landing gear lever was in the deployed position. The left landing gear was partially extended with the upper side brace link found with a smooth bend. The hydraulic actuator cylinder was extended and was still attached to the retraction bracket. The truss support bracket was displaced from its normal position on the wing spar, with its bolts and screws bent or broken. The left tire displayed radial scuff marks on the outboard sidewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N786N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N786N-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 28R-7435095, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7435095 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4834 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2019 - Departed: P19, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 22R, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 577 total, 479 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: CHD ## 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 20190629008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190629008549A), Jun 29, 2019: Piper PA-28R-200, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. On 06/29/2019 at about 1855 local time, a 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 cherokee arrow ii, registration N786N, s/n 28R-7435095, suffered a landing gear collapse during… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99730. 12.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11803343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20180_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of communication (pilot) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12050977&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Communication%20PIC-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum (manufacturer) (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051949&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20MEMORANDUM%20PIPER-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook excerpts (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051847&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332285&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB_Investigation_Party_Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11819346&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20180-Rel.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.