# NTSB ERA15LA125: Cessna 402C, N223PB, Isla de Vieques, PR, February 10, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 2015, 11:39 local (15:39 UTC)
- Place: Isla de Vieques, PR
- Coordinates: 18.221546, -66.589485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2215&lon=-66.5895&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: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90707/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90707
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a strong crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.

## 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: [Cessna 402C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=207590R), [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: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=207590R), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=207590R), [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: [Cessna 402C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airline transport pilot was conducting a scheduled commuter flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown, the airplane encountered a wind gust and subsequently veered off of the runway. During the runway excursion, the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the landing gear and braking systems revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Although no archived weather information was available at the accident airport, the nearest weather reporting station recorded wind at the time of the accident that would have resulted in a direct 20-knot right crosswind. A review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook showed that the airplane had a maximum-demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On February 10, 2015, about 1139 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 402C, N223PB, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway while landing at Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (TJVQ), Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico. The airline transport pilot and six passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to Hyannis Air Service Incorporated and operated by Cape Air as flight number 2811, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the scheduled commuter flight. The flight originated from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (TJSJ), San Juan, Puerto Rico at 1115.The pilot reported that he made a normal landing approach to runway 9; however, shortly after touchdown the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the nose of the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to regain directional control, but the airplane skidded off of the left side of the runway into the grass. A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the left wing spar and a collapsed left main landing gear. Further examination revealed that the left main landing gear was broken away from the trunnion mounts along with the brake lines. The inspector noted the presence of fresh tire skid marks on the runway and in the grass the progressed to the point where the airplane came to rest. The FAA inspector did not note any anomalies with the brake or landing gear systems. The nearest weather reporting station was Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (TJRV/TJNR), Ceiba, Puerto Rico, located 11 miles northwest of the accident site, at an elevation of 38 feet. At 1153, the reported weather conditions included winds from 180 magnetic at 20 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 2,600 feet, temperature of 29 degrees Celsius (C), dew point temperature of 22 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of mercury. A review of the Cessna 402C pilot's operating handbook revealed that the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity was 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N223PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N223PB), registered now, S/N 402C0105, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0105
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 34678
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 325 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hyannis Air Service Inc, doing business as Cape Air
- Registered owner: Hyannis Air Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 22, 2015, 21 hours before
- Departed: TJSJ, San Juan, PR
- Destination: TJVQ, Vieques, PR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: TJVQ, Antonio Rivera Rodriquez Airpo, runway 9, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,726 total, 802 in this make and model, 1,217 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: TJNR, 11 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 20150210018739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150210018739A), Feb 10, 2015: Cessna 402C, Vieques, PR, Substantial damage. While landing at Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (vqs) , Vieques, PR , the pilot encountered crosswind gust conditions of approximately 20 knots. Upon…

## Other investigations on N223PB (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA06LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06LA071), Mar 27, 2006: Cessna 402C (N223PB), Dorado, PR, no damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to use on-board weather radar equipment for weather avoidance and the pilot's continued operation into known adverse weather conditions, resulting in injury to passengers.

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90707. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Company (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Company-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Interview (item 4, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Interview-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- 402C POH excerpt (item 6, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=402C%20POH%20excerpt-Master.PDF
- AIPP Logbook Excerpts (item 7, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=AIPP%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 8, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF
- Stay Centered Safety Alert (item 9, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Stay%20Centered%20Safety%20Alert-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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