# NTSB WPR20CA100: Piper PA28R, N41429, Twin Falls, ID, March 6, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 6, 2020, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.483333, -114.484725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4833&lon=-114.4847&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101034/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101034
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA100

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway approach light.

## 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)
- [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)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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 (probable cause); 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [After landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll with an 80° left crosswind of 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots, the airplane unexpectedly became airborne due to a wind gust. The airplane drifted off the right side of the runway, so the pilot aborted the takeoff and landed on dirt, closed the throttle, and applied braking. As the airplane continued forward, its right wing impacted a runway approach light, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll with a reported 80° left crosswind of 18 knots, with gusts to 24 knots, the airplane unexpectedly became airborne due to a wind gust. The pilot aborted the takeoff when the airplane drifted off the right side of the runway, and landed in the dirt, closed the throttle and applied braking. As the airplane continued forward its right wing collided with a runway approach light, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41429](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41429), registered now, S/N 28R-7435180, built 1974 (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-7435180
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 5302.4
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2019, 59 hours before
- Departed: KTWF, Twin Falls, ID
- Destination: K06U, Jackpot, NV
- Airport: KTWF, Joslin Field - Magic Valley Re, runway 26, 8,703 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review July 1, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 358 total, 283 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KTWF

## 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 20200306006409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200306006409A), Mar 6, 2020: Piper PA-28R-200, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot's planned route of flight was from man, twf, 06U and back to man airport. The pilot stated his intentions was to log flight time. The pilot had…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101034. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Narrative Statement (item 2, .PDF, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Narrative%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Meteorology (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology-Master.PDF
- Photo Array of Right Wing Damage (item 4, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20of%20Right%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.