# NTSB FTW82DA087: Piper PA-32-300, N55550, Crownpoint, NM, March 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1982, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Crownpoint, NM
- Coordinates: 35.680271, -108.140129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6803&lon=-108.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA087

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING TO THE SOUTH WITH A 25 KNOT WIND FROM THE SOUTHWEST. WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WHEEL ENTERED SOFT DIRT CAUSING THE PLANE TO DRIFT FURTHER LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR AND BUCKLING THE ENGINE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55550 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-730116
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Window Rock Airways
- Registered owner: Window Rock Airways
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: WINDOW ROCK, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Crownpoint Municipal, runway 18, 6,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,360 total, 217 in this make and model, 1,197 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19820303026679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820303026679A), Mar 3, 1982: Piper PA32300, Crovenpoint, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed aircraft to drift off runway during landing. Gear collapsed in soft berm.

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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