# NTSB ERA12CA342: Piper PA46, N630TG, Springfield, VT, May 17, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 17, 2012, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, VT
- Coordinates: 43.343612, -72.516944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3436&lon=-72.5169&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 November 26, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83681/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83681
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA342

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

## 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 PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7104610), [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-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104610), [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 PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during landing the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to compensate for the wind, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck a runway sign and a runway light, and came to rest in a field; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 290 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane incurred a strong gust of wind during landing that lifted the left wing and subsequently the left main landing gear off the ground. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to compensate for the wind, but the airplane continued to veer off the left side of the runway, and struck a runway sign as well as a runway light. The airplane came to rest in a field which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport at around the time of the accident was 310 degrees at 10 knots gusting 21 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N630TG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N630TG), registered now, S/N 4692079, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA46 (350T)
- Registry model: [Piper PA46R-350T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa46r-350t) (registry code 7104610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4692079
- Airframe hours: 339
- Engines: Lycoming TIO 540 AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Panagrossi
- Registered owner: David Panagrossi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 2012
- Departed: BLM, Monmouth, NJ
- Destination: VSF, Springfield, VT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VSF, Hartness State Airport, runway 29, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 418 total, 325 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: VSF, 5 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 20120517008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120517008259A), May 17, 2012: Piper Aircraft Inc PA46R-350T, Springfield, VT, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was landing rwy 29 (3000 x 75) at vsf. The wind was reported to be 290 at 7 with gusts to 15. After touch-down, he reached over to bring…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83681. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- VSF Weather Observation (item 2, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=VSF%20Weather%20Observation-Master.PDF
- Statement (item 3, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement-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.

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