# NTSB ATL92LA058: Piper PA-46-310, N4387V, Aiken, SC, March 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Aiken, SC
- Coordinates: 33.540489, -81.719268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5405&lon=-81.7193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA058

## Probable cause

THE UNEXPECTED, GUSTING CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OBTAINED A STANDARD WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTING FOR THE FLIGHT.  THE BREIFING NOTED THAT A    SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT FOR SEVERE TURBULENCE AND WIND SHEAR.  DURING THE FINAL APPROACH AT HIS DESTINATION HE OBSERVED    THE WIND SOCK PERIODICALLY AND NOTED THAT IT INDICATED THE WIND WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY.  AT TOUCH DOWN THE LEFT WING WAS LIFTED BY A WIND GUST, THE PILOT SAID, WHICH COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WITH THE AILERON.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF    THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4387V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8508043
- Airframe hours: 1753
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A-1 Leasing,Inc
- Registered owner: A-1 Leasing,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1992, 92 hours before
- Departed: 04J, DARLINGTON, SC
- Airport: AIK, Aiken Muni, runway 24, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,080 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,020 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 25 nm away

## 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 19920311005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920311005879A), Mar 11, 1992: Piper PA46310P, Aiken, SC, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused drift off runway. Landed in soft sod off side of runway. Collapsed right main gear.

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.

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