# NTSB WPR24LA197: Piper PA-25-235, N4625Y, Fernley, NV, June 13, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 12, 2024, 17:30 local (Jun 13, 2024, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Fernley, NV · N58 Samsarg Field - Coordinates: 39.554535, -119.23795 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5545&lon=-119.2379&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during gusting wind conditions. ## 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-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102504), [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-25-235, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102504), [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-25-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing, he executed a wheel landing. During the rollout, while the airplane’s tail was lowering, a wind gust lifted the right wing. The pilot applied right aileron and left rudder corrections, and the right wing lowered. Subsequently, the right main landing gear tire contacted the soft runway edge, and the airplane exited the runway surface. The pilot applied full engine power to abort the landing, however, the airplane impacted multiple sand bars and spun 180°. The airplane came to rest upright, and the right wing and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15 with the wind light and variable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4625Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4625Y), registered now, S/N 25-4339, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4339 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 9494 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2024, 17 hours before - Departed: NV23, Reno, NV - Destination: N58, Fernley, NV - Airport: N58, Samsarg Field, runway 15, 3,974 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 27, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,905 total, 75 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 16 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 25 nm away - METAR: KRNO 130055Z 27016G24KT 10SM FEW110 35/11 A2995 RMK AO2 PK WND 28027/0021 SLP076 CB DSNT SE T03500106 ## 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 20240612006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240612006609A), Jun 12, 2024: Piper PA-25-235, Fernley, NV, Substantial damage. While positioning to conduct glider tow operations for compensation, the accident aircraft departed the right side of the runway. During landing rollout on… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194493. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18246364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pilot%206120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18246981&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=additional%20pilot%20statement_flat-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18245288&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA197%20photos-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.