# NTSB GAA15CA270: Piper PA 32-260, N3354W, Jackpot, NV, September 21, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2015, 12:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Jackpot, NV
- Coordinates: 41.976387, -114.657501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9764&lon=-114.6575&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92031/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA270

## Probable cause

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

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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 PA-32-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7103206), [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 PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103206), [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 PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103206), [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 PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll a "dust devil hit the rear" of the airplane, "throwing it into the right lane and sliding the airplane sideways down the runway." The pilot reported that the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, over a dirt berm, and impacted a fence with the left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. A witness that was at the airport reported the wind was calm all day.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll a "dust devil hit the rear" of the airplane, "throwing it into the right lane and sliding the airplane sideways down the runway." The pilot reported that the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, over a dirt berm, and impacted a fence with the left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. A witness that was at the airport reported the wind was calm all day.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3354W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3354W), registered now, S/N 32-197, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-260 (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: 32-197
- Year built: 1965
- Airframe hours: 6930
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2014, 16 hours before
- Departed: VEL, VERNAL, UT
- Destination: 06U, Jackpot, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 06U, Jackpot/Hayden Field, runway 15, 6,183 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 181 total, 100 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KTWF, 31 nm away

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92031. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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