Casualties unknown

Light Aircraft Departs Runway During Landing (N92505)

Owatonna, MN, US

On March 23, 2003, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N92505) was involved in an aviation accident near Owatonna, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots loss of directional control on landing and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the crosswind, the airport lights, and the ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane veered off the left side of runway 12 and impacted terrain during landing. The pilot reported level wings at touchdown before attempting to avoid obstacles.

What happened

The aircraft departed the left side of runway 12 and struck terrain immediately after leaving the paved surface. According to the pilot's report, the airplane's wings were level at the moment of initial touchdown on the runway. Following the departure from the runway centerline, the pilot raised the nose and applied additional power in an effort to avoid colliding with airport lighting fixtures and a nearby ditch.

The investigation

Investigation details regarding mechanical examination or specific maintenance records are not provided in the available source material. No further investigative findings are documented in this brief report.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the event was the aircraft's departure from the runway environment during the landing phase. Environmental conditions at the time of the accident included winds blowing from 190 degrees at a speed of 14 knots. The pilot's actions to pitch up and add power indicate an attempt to regain altitude or clear obstacles after losing directional control on the runway surface.

Safety message

This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining directional control during the landing roll, particularly when crosswind components are present. Pilots must be prepared for immediate corrective action if an aircraft begins to drift off the runway centerline.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Mar 2003 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Owatonna, MN?

An airplane veered off the left side of runway 12 and impacted terrain during landing. The pilot reported level wings at touchdown before attempting to avoid obstacles.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Mar 2003 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N92505, at Owatonna, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilots loss of directional control on landing and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the crosswind, the airport lights, and the ditch.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030327X00402. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.