1989-04-04: Piper PA-22-150 — Vaughan Weeks — Chicago, IL

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION WHICH EXISTED DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY, CROSSWIND WHICH EXISTED AND THE FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE CROSSWIND PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE AIRCRAFT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 18 AFTER HE HAD BEEN INFORMED OF WINDS FROM 260 DEGREES AT 19 KTS, GUSTING TO 30 KTS. JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT, DRIVING THE LEFT WING TO THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THE OWNERS HANDBOOK, IN THE SECTION ON CROSSWINDS, PROVIDES NO GUIDANCE ON A CROSSWIND LIMIT. EVEN WITHOUT GUSTS, THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT COMPUTES TO NEARLY 19 KNOTS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-04-04 Piper PA-22-150 accident near Chicago, IL?

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 18 AFTER HE HAD BEEN INFORMED OF WINDS FROM 260 DEGREES AT 19 KTS, GUSTING TO 30 KTS. JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT, DRIVING THE LEFT WING TO THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THE OWNERS HANDBOOK, IN THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-04-04 involved a Piper PA-22-150, registration N2944P, operated by Vaughan Weeks, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION WHICH EXISTED DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY, CROSSWIND WHICH EXISTED AND THE FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE CROSSWIND PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE AIRCRAFT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28060. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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