N4802H

Substantial
None

Piper PA-17S/N: 17-100

Accident Details

Date
Friday, July 20, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA251
Location
Scribner, NE
Event ID
20070912X01389
Coordinates
41.610279, -96.629997
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind condition.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
17-100
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1948
Model / ICAO
PA-17PA17
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-17

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DAWSON STEVEN L
Address
W626 BEECH DR
City
EAST TROY
State / Zip Code
WI 53120-2416
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control during landing on runway 17 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete) and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that upon return from a local flight he noticed that the prevailing east wind had increased and he selected runway 17 for landing. He reported the airplane touched down, however, it lifted off again. He stated: "When it came down the second time [it] wasn't in line with the runway because of the strong east wind." He applied full rudder and subsequently right brake but was unable to regain control. He reported that application of the brake may have been excessive. The landing gear collapsed substantially damaging the airframe. The pilot noted: "The 20 -25 mph wind from the east was too much for me that day." The pilot reported winds from 090 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, at the time of the accident. Weather conditions were not recorded at the accident airport. At 1330, wind conditions recorded at a nearby airport located 11 miles southeast of the accident airport, were from 100 degrees at 8 knots. At 1350, recorded winds were from 120 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated that the pilot had been denied an airman medical certificate in September 1990. His commercial pilot certificate had subsequently been revoked due to operating an aircraft without a valid medical certificate.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA251