# NTSB ANC24LA030: Piper PA-32-300, N4011R, Willcox, AZ, April 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 12, 2024, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Willcox, AZ · private airfield that doubles as a racetrack. - Coordinates: 32.224653, -110.00781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2247&lon=-110.0078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - Scottsdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194221/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194221 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in collision with an object. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 · Effect on operation (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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff with a right crosswind, he encountered a strong gust of wind that pushed the airplane into a 3-foot-tall wall located on the left side of the runway. The airplane’s left main landing gear subsequently struck the wall, which liberated the entire left main landing gear assembly from the airplane. The pilot then elected to continue to his home airport where he made a successful emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the left wing struck the surface of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the main wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4011R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4011R), registered now, S/N 32-40304, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - 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: 32-40304 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5305.9 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hot Shots Aerial Photography LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2023, 188.6 hours before - Departed: 93AZ, Willcox, AZ - Destination: KFFZ, Mesa, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 93AZ, Inde Motorsports Ranch Airport, runway 26, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 409.5 total, 295 in this make and model, 335.5 as pilot in command, 55.7 in the last 90 days, 5.1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KTUS, 48 nm away - METAR: KTUS 122153Z 22012G24KT 10SM CLR 31/M06 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 22030/2142 SLP093 T03061061 ## 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 20240412012579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240412012579A), Apr 12, 2024: Piper PA-32-300, Willcox, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he encountered a 20-knot wind gust while departing which pushed the aircraft into a wall next to the rwy. The impact sheared off left landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194221. 12.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 14 pages, 10.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17143903&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17145202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA030%20Photos-Rel.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.