Piper PA-28-180 accident near Owatonna, Minnesota, April 27, 2013
On April 27, 2013 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N7780N, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Owatonna, Minnesota (Owatonna Degner Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control during an aborted landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2013 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Owatonna, Minnesota · Owatonna Degner Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N7780N · no longer on the register · serial 28-5228
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the he was conducting practice instrument approaches under visual flight rules with a safety pilot at the time of the accident. After the fourth approach, they elected to land the airplane. The safety pilot assumed control of the airplane so that the pilot could prepare for landing. The airplane ended up on a “very close-in base leg” that resulted in the airplane being high on final approach. The pilot took control of the airplane from the safety pilot and elected to continue the landing. The pilot reported that the conditions, including a right crosswind, resulted in the airplane touching down on the left side of the runway. The pilot elected to execute a go-around and applied full engine power. The airplane subsequently made an unintended left turn and impacted the grassy area adjacent to the runway, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. In addition, postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (aborted after touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,432 hours in all; 1,415 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 12, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 186 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 107 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 16, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,670 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVN Minneapolis MN at 2:25 pm
- Destination: OWA Owatonna MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 12 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.