# NTSB FTW95LA021: Piper PA-32-260, N3699W, Albuquerque, NM, October 14, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1994, 06:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.139644, -106.489494 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1396&lon=-106.4895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19286 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19286/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA021 ## Probable cause IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHILE ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER (WIND), AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND TURBULENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear - overload ## Analysis THE LOCAL WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM THE EAST AT 25 KNOTS GUSTING TO 50 KNOTS. THE PILOT EXTENDED THE FLAPS TO 25 DEGREES (2ND NOTCH) RATHER THAN USING 10 DEGREES (1ST NOTCH). DURING THE TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 3, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE IN GUSTY WINDS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT IT LIFTED OFF EARLY IN THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND GUSTY WINDS, AND DID NOT CLIMB. THE LANDING GEAR CONTACTED BRUSH AND GRASS ON THE UPWIND SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE PILOT ABORTED THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON SOFT TERRAIN AND CAME TO REST SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET FROM THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WITH THE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5280 FEET, AND THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 52 DEGREES. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1994, at 0610 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3699W was substantially damaged during takeoff near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight. The pilot reported the following information on the enclosed statement. The local winds at Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, were reported from the east at 25 knots gusting to 50 knots. The pilot extended the airplane flaps to 25 degrees. During the takeoff on runway 03, the airplane became airborne in gusty winds. Once airborne, the winds were "gusty and quartering causing uncommanded yaws of 15 degrees to 30 degrees and rolls of 45 degrees to 50 degrees." The pilot further stated that as "a result of the turbulence encountered and the inability to climb, the aircraft landing gear began to contact brush and grass clumps." The pilot made a decision to land the aircraft. During the landing in "soft sand" the landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered to the right, and then skidded sideways. The airplane came to rest several hundred feet to the upwind side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3699W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3699W-2017-04-17), registration cancelled 2017-04-17, S/N 32-611, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-611 - Airframe hours: 3170 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Shonrock, Clinton O. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1994, 170 hours before - Departed: 4AC - Destination: LAM, LOS ALAMOS, NM - Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 3, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,110 total, 166 in this make and model, 1,058 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 90° at 25 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F ## 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 19941014034949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941014034949A), Oct 14, 1994: Piper PA32260, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control during takeoff in severe gusty crosswind. While rocking wheels caught bushes. Nosed over in soft sand. 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.