Piper PA-28-161 accident near Mesa, Arizona, June 9, 2000
On June 9, 2000 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N115ND, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mesa, Arizona (Williams Gateway airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control in that he failed to properly position the ailerons during his landing roll. Gusty, crosswind conditions, from a direction and velocity that equaled the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind capability, were a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2000 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Williams Gateway · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N115ND · no longer on the register · serial 2841035
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was practicing stop-and-go landings. On the first landing the airplane veered to the right side of the runway, and struck a distance remaining sign. After the collision, the airplane taxied to the ramp without further incident. The 1050 ATIS reported winds were from 180 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Witnesses at the accident site reported that the winds were variable in direction with gusty conditions. The demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 17 knots. According to the chart, the effective crosswind at the time of the accident was 17 knots. The student had received dual instruction in the performance of crosswind landings.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 44 hours in all; 44 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 14 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,278 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 11, 2000; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,332 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-230-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IWA at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12R, 10,401 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 187°F (86°C), dew point 115°F (46°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.