GAA16CA069

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA 46-350P · Mammoth, CA · December 3, 2015

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
December 3, 2015, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
Place
Mammoth, CA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N546CPiper PA 46-350P
Defining event
Takeoff: Runway excursion
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 14, 2016
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20151203019399A
Case key
92409

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff in high crosswind conditions resulting in the inability to maintain an adequate crosswind correction, consequently failing to maintain directional control and departing the runway, and subsequently colliding with fixed airfield equipment.

Findings · 5

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotPiper PA 46-350P: 40 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: crosswind correctionAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedPiper PA 46-350P: 3 casesAll aircraft: 184 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedPiper PA 46-350P: 11 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Wind: gustsEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipmentPiper PA 46-350P: 7 casesAll aircraft: 1,199 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

According to the pilot, he checked the winds via his onboard weather reporting device during the run-up, and he stated that the 25 knot wind sock was about ¾ full just moments before the takeoff roll. He reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a significant wind gust from the right. He stated that the wind gust forced the airplane to exit the left side of the runway, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane collided with metal pylons which surrounded the wind sock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the Airport/Facility Directory, the Airport Remarks state: Airport located in mountainous terrain with occasional strong winds and turbulence. Lighted windsock available at runway ends and centerfield. With southerly crosswinds in excess of 15 knots, experiencing turbulence and possible windshear along first 3000´ of Runway 27. The reported wind at the airport during the time of the accident was from 200 degrees true at 22 knots, with gusts at 33 knots, and the departure runway heading was 27. According to the pilot operating hand book the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for this airplane is 17 knots. The crosswind component during the time of the accident was 26 knots.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he checked the winds via his onboard weather reporting device during the run-up, and he stated that the 25 knot wind sock was about ¾ full just moments before the takeoff roll. He reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a significant wind gust from the right. He stated that the wind gust forced the airplane to exit the left side of the runway, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane collided with metal pylons which surrounded the wind sock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the Airport/Facility Directory, the Airport Remarks state: Airport located in mountainous terrain with occasional strong winds and turbulence. Lighted windsock available at runway ends and centerfield. With southerly crosswinds in excess of 15 knots, experiencing turbulence and possible windshear along first 3000´ of Runway 27. The reported wind at the airport during the time of the accident was from 200 degrees true at 22 knots, with gusts at 33 knots, and the departure runway heading was 27. According to the pilot operating hand book the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for this airplane is 17 knots. The crosswind component during the time of the accident was 26 knots.

Aircraft

Registration
N546C
Reported as
Piper PA 46-350P (350P)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
4636626
Built
2014
Airframe hours
230
Engine
Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A, 350 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Golf Whiskey LLC
Registered owner
Golf Whiskey LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 1, 2015
Departed
MMH · Mammoth, CA
Destination
MMH · Mammoth, CA
Airport
MMH · Mammoth Yosemite, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
69
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
November 1, 2015
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
4,000 total · 2,000 in this make and model · 4,000 as pilot in command · 60 in the last 90 days · 30 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 22 knots, gusting 33
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
54 °F, dew point 19 °F
Altimeter
30.05 inHg
Observed at
KMMH, 1 nm away

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.6 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.