# NTSB CEN12CA140: Piper PA-32RT-300, N513CW, Angle Fire, NM, January 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 15, 2012, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Angle Fire, NM - Coordinates: 36.421943, -105.289718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4219&lon=-105.2897&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 82721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA140 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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-32RT-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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-32RT-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial takeoff climb from runway 17, the airplane veered abruptly to the left and started to sink. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and the airplane settled back to the ground. As the airplane rolled through the snow, the nosewheel and the left main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the outboard portion of the left wing was substantially damaged. The reported wind about the time of the accident was from 250 degrees 26 knots gusting up to 37 knots. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the initial takeoff climb from runway 17, the airplane veered abruptly to the left and started to sink. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and the airplane settled back to the ground. As the airplane rolled through the snow, the nosewheel and the left main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the outboard portion of the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot estimated the winds at 20 to 30 knots. Winds at the time of the accident were recorded as 250 degrees at 26 knots gusting to 37 knots. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N513CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N513CW), registered now, S/N 32R-7885170, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885170 - Airframe hours: 3764 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1GD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2011 - Departed: KAXX, Angle Fire, NM - Destination: KAAO, Wichita, KS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KAXX, Angel Fire Airport, runway 17, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 8,217 total, 161 in this make and model, 8,190 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 26 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KAXX ## 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 20120115000319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120115000319A), Jan 15, 2012: Piper PA-32RT-300, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. On January 15, 2012 at 4:00 pm MST, N513CW, a Piper PA-32RT-300, crashed at the Angel Fire, NM airport during an aborted takeoff. The ATP rated pilot and his… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82721. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.