# NTSB ERA11CA202: Piper PA 46-350P, N9172V, Allentown, PA, March 2, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 2, 2011, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Allentown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.568889, -75.486114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5689&lon=-75.4861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Allentown FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78632/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78632
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA202

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions, resulting in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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 he landed the airplane in a right crosswind and wind gusts. He applied a right crosswind correction, flared, and touched down with the right main landing gear on the runway. When the pilot removed the right crosswind control corrections, the airplane landed hard and as the nose wheel settled onto the runway, the airplane swerved to the left. The nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and forward baggage compartment supports. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane in a right crosswind and wind gusts. He applied a right crosswind correction, flared, and touched down with the right main landing gear on the runway. When the pilot removed the right crosswind control corrections, the airplane landed hard and as the nose wheel settled onto the runway, the airplane swerved to the left. The airplane wheel barreled and the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and forward baggage compartment supports. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9172V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9172V), registered now, S/N 4622038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 46-350P
- Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4622038
- Airframe hours: 3341
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James J. Dooley Jr
- Registered owner: D And H Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2010, 39 hours before
- Departed: BWI, Baltimore, MD
- Destination: XLL, Allentown, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: XLL, Allentown Queen City Municipal, runway 25, 3,949 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,499 total, 3,321 in this make and model, 4,499 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 17 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: XLL

## 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 20110302003329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110302003329A), Mar 2, 2011: Piper PA 46-350P, Allentown, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot landed on runway 25 @ kxll, Allentown Queen city airport with a right crosswind. Aircraft touched down and then lifted back into the air due to the pilot…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78632. 2.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summary Dooley (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary%20Dooley-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement Abt (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20Abt-Redacted.PDF
- Extract PA46-350P POH (item 4, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20PA46-350P%20POH-Redacted.PDF
- XLL Surface Weather Observation 03 02 2011 (item 5, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=XLL%20Surface%20Weather%20Observation%2003%2002%202011-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 Front view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 Right side view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345447&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 Rear view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 353 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345448&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Rear%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 left side view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 View of nose wheel (dark line) going to the left. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20View%20of%20nose%20wheel%20(dark%20line)%20going%20to%20the%20left.%20Photo%20FAA-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.

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