N145ND

On February 13, 1996, at 1410 central standard time a Piper PA- 28-161, piloted by a certified flight instructor, was substantially damaged when it landed short of runway 30 (3205'x 75' asphalt) at the Warren Airport, Warren, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor and two student pilots reported no injuries. The flight departed from Grand Forks, North Dakota, at 1300 cst.

The instructor was contacted by the investigator in charge by telephone on February 21, 1996. The instructor said the student was having difficulty understanding how to use the rudder when making crosswind landings. The instructor said the focus on proper rudder usage probably diverted the students and her attention. The aircraft hit a snowbank approximately 40 yards short of the runway, coming to rest approximately 20 yards from the end of the runway. The pilot wrote on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

The propeller, cowling, firewall, engine mount and right wing skin were bent. The nose gear and right main landing gear separated from the airframe.