# NTSB WPR21LA222: Piper PA-28R-200, N1996T, Las Vegas, NV, May 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 15, 2021, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 35.972861, -115.13444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9729&lon=-115.1344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Brownell - NTSB case key (mKey): 103205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103205/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA222 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to compensate for a downdraft during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## 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 · Instructor/check 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: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 flight instructor reported that, they configured the airplane for takeoff and noted there was a substantial crosswind. During takeoff, as the airplane reached about 50 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane encountered a downdraft, and the flight instructor was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane descended and collided in the ditch located between the parallel runways. The airplane wing tips contacted the ground and the airplane spun around coming to rest in the opposite direction of travel. The right wing was substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1996T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1996T-2021-10-04), registration cancelled 2021-10-04, S/N 28R-7135188, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-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-7135188 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 5509 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360-C1C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: US Aviators - Registered owner: Perez Guillermo R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 25, 2021, 9 hours before - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: HND, Henderson Exec, runway 17R/35L, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 930 total, 12 in this make and model, 705 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 147 total, 9 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 17 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: KHND - METAR: KHND 152114Z 21017/G21KT 10SM CLR 33/M06 A2967 ## Other investigations on N1996T (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 CHI99LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA217), Jul 4, 1999: Piper PA-28R-200 (N1996T), Dongola, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain a proper glidepath on the landing approach, and the failure of the pilot to select a proper touchdown point. Factors to the accident were the lack of runway… 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.