# NTSB ERA12CA266: Piper PA-60-602P, N6902L, Philadelphia, PA, April 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2012, 12:26 local (16:26 UTC) - Place: Philadelphia, PA - Coordinates: 39.869998, -75.237777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8700&lon=-75.2378&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 October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83281/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83281 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA266 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7106015), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/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-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7106015), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7106015), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7106015), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7106015), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-60-602P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7106015), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was cleared to land on runway 26. The recorded surface wind at the airport around the time of the accident was from 330 to 340 degrees at 14 to 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots; a peak wind gust from 350 degrees at 26 knots was recorded about 7 minutes after the accident. The pilot said that he landed on the left main gear with the right main intermittently touching the ground and tried to lower the right wing to improve wheel-to-runway contact but was unsuccessful because of a wind gust. The airplane swerved off the left side of the runway onto the soft grass area, where the airplane’s main landing gear collapsed, and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was cleared to land on runway 26. He estimated the winds were “varying from the west to the north at 10 to 14 knots”. The surface winds at the airport were 330 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots near the time of the accident. He landed on the left main gear with the right main intermittently touching the ground. He attempted to lower the right wing to improve wheel to runway contact. Due to a wind gust, he was unsuccessful. He felt the left main gear became “mushy” and he was braking to avoid an overrun, when the airplane swerved off the left of the runway onto the soft grass area. The airplane’s main landing gear collapsed and both wing’s outer structure incurred substantial damage before coming to a complete stop. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6902L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6902L-2012-05-23), registration cancelled 2012-05-23, S/N 60-8265034, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-602P - Registry model: [Piper PA-60-602P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-60-602p) (registry code 7106015) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60-8265034 - Airframe hours: 3693 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2011 - Departed: LHV, Lock Haven, PA - Destination: PHL, Philadelphia, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PHL, Philadelphia International, runway 26, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 3,150 total, 929 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 14 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: PHL ## 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 20120402004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120402004339A), Apr 2, 2012: Piper PA-60-602P, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. • On 02 April 2012 at approximately 12:35 eastern daylight time (EDT) N6902L was on approach to runway 26 at phl. However, in the approach sequence ATC noticed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83281. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: METAR Weather (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20METAR%20Weather-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. --- 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.