# NTSB CEN21LA186: Piper PA 46-350P, N6962S, Aspen, CO, February 28, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 28, 2021, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Aspen, CO - Coordinates: 39.225069, -106.86936 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2251&lon=-106.8694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102898/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102898 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on landing. ## 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 46-350P, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104620), [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 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing when the airplane’s nose landing gear contacted the runway the airplane veered “very sharply” to the left. The pilot attempted to correct using the rudder and brakes; however, the airplane departed the side of the runway and slid over ice and snow. The pilot then steered the airplane back towards the runway, but as he did the airplane collided with a runway light. The nose wheel landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene reported that a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. The FAA inspector later reported that during the airplane’s repair, no anomalies were detected which would have contributed to a loss of directional control. The pilot reported 56 hours in make and model and 246 total hours. It is unknown if his experience level contributed to the loss of control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6962S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6962S), registered now, S/N 4636272, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 46-350P (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636272 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 1550 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David Ratajczak - Registered owner: David Ratajczak - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2020, 42.3 hours before - Departed: KAPA, Centennial, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: ASE, Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Fld, runway 33, 8,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 246 total, 56 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KASE - METAR: KASE 281753Z 01003KT 10SM SCT050 M07/M13 A3008 RMKAO2 SLP236 60000 T10671133 11067 116751005 ## 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 20210228001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210228001769A), Feb 28, 2021: Piper PA 46-350P, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage. During rollout following a normal landing, the aircraft drifted to the left. Pilot corrected with right rudder and braking. Aircraft went off of the runway… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102898. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12691441&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN21LA186%20NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12691555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen21la186%20photo-Rel.pdf - Case findings (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12691514&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=case%20findings%20cen21la186-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.