Piper PA-28-180 accident near Globe, Arizona, May 10, 2009
On May 10, 2009 at about 8:05 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N8401W, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Globe, Arizona (San Carlos Apache airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2009 · about 8:05 pm local time
- Place
- Globe, Arizona · San Carlos Apache · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N8401W · no longer on the register · serial 28-2615
- 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 as he approached Runway 27 at the destination airport he became aware of the 8-knot surface wind from 180 degrees. According to the pilot, the airplane's approach from the traffic pattern was stable. When descending over the runway numbers he brought the airplane out of a wind correction crab and lowered the left wing in anticipation of touching down first on the upwind wheel. At this time, the airplane began drifting sideways away from the runway. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the flight path, the airplane continued veering away from the runway. The pilot applied full engine power and commenced a go-around over the ground to the side of the runway. Prior to gaining altitude, the airplane collided with trees and brush near midfield, but about 360 feet south of the runway's centerline. No mechanical malfunction was experienced with the airplane.
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
- Other weather encounter during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Response/compensation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 238 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 133 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 6, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,831 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 18, 2009; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ at 7:25 pm
- Destination: P13 Globe AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 27, 6,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.