# NTSB ANC20CA040: Piper PA32, N1409X, Fairbanks, AK, March 28, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 27, 2020, 18:00 local (Mar 28, 2020, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815002, -147.856384 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8150&lon=-147.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101134/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101134 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and impact with a snowbank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land in strong gusting, crosswind conditions. After touchdown, the airplane veered sharply left, exited the runway, and impacted a snowbank, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had received more instruction in crosswind conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot was attempting to land in strong gusting crosswind conditions. After touchdown the airplane veered sharply to the left, exited the runway and impacted a snowbank sustaining substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had received more instruction in crosswind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1409X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1409X), registered now, S/N 32-7540155, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32 (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7540155 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2203.16 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2019 - Departed: RBY, Ruby, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 02R, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 86.9 total, 41 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 15 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point -8 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20200327000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200327000809A), Mar 27, 2020: Piper PA-32-300, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported weather indicates crosswind and gust conditions were a primary contributor to the accident. Pilot reported crosswind of 6KTS gusting to 21KTS;… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101134. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.