# NTSB FTW01LA135: Piper PA-38-112, N2495C, Amarillo, TX, June 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2001, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Amarillo, TX - Coordinates: 35.220695, -101.709106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2207&lon=-101.7091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52405 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52405/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA135 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Prior to turning final, the pilot completed the before landing checks. While on final approach to runway 04, the engine "sputtered a little." There was a strong right crosswind so the pilot crabbed the airplane into the wind. Prior to landing, the pilot aligned the airplane with the runway, and the wind began pushing the airplane to the left. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full throttle and turning off the carburetor heat; however, the engine began to "sputter." Subsequently, the airplane landed "hard" on its left main landing gear, bounced several times, veered left, and exited the runway onto the grass. While on the grass, the airplane porpoised several times collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane came to rest on its nose. At the time of the accident, the wind was from 140 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2001, at 1350 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112 (Tomahawk) single-engine airplane, N2495C, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo, Texas. The airplane was registered to Panther Aviation, Inc. and operated by Cleburne Aviation Services, both of Cleburne, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Cleburne, Texas, at 1040. The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that prior to turning final, he completed the before landing checks. While on final approach to runway 04, the engine "sputtered a little, like losing a magneto, carburetor icing, or fouled spark plugs." There was a strong right crosswind so he crabbed the airplane into the wind. Prior to landing, he aligned the airplane with the runway, and the wind began pushing the airplane to the left. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full throttle and turning off the carburetor heat; however, the engine began to "sputter." Subsequently, the airplane landed "hard" on its left main landing gear, bounced several times, veered left, and exited the runway onto the grass. While on the grass, the airplane porpoised several times collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane came to a rest on its nose. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the nose wheel was folded under the airplane, the firewall was buckled, and the engine was displaced downward and to the left. At 1410, the reported wind at the Amarillo International Airport was from 140 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2495C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2495C-2018-03-01), registration cancelled 2018-03-01, S/N 38-79A0205, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 3826.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ceburne Aviation Services - Registered owner: Panther Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2000, 97 hours before - Departed: F18, CLEBURNE, TX - Destination: AMA, Amarillo, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AMA, Amarillo Intl, runway 04, 13,502 × 300 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 4, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 27 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: ama ## 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 20010602014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010602014119A), Jun 2, 2001: Piper PA38112, Amarillo, TX, No damage. (-23) On June 2, 2001, at approximately 1350 CDT local time, a Piper PA-38-112 tomahawk aircraft, N2495C, during landing at Amarillo International Airport… 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.