# NTSB GAA16CA300: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 Sierra, N323TC, Moundsville, WV, June 9, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2016, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Moundsville, WV
- Coordinates: 39.880832, -80.735557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8808&lon=-80.7356&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93364/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93364
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA300

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

## 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: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that as the airplane entered the landing flare, a crosswind gust "picked up the right wing." He further reported that he applied full power to go-around, and the airplane drifted to the left. Subsequently, the airplane struck trees next to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and both wings. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observing station, which was 18 nautical miles north of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 320 degrees true at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on a runway with a 240 degrees magnetic heading.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that as the airplane entered the landing flare, a crosswind gust "picked up the right wing." He further reported that he applied full power to go-around, and the airplane drifted to the left. Subsequently, the airplane struck trees next to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and both wings. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observing station, which was 18 nautical miles north of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 320 degrees true at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on a runway with a 240 degrees magnetic heading.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N323TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N323TC-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 327, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2002 SIERRA (JF)
- Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p2002-sierra) (registry code 0600006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327
- Year built: 2008
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Departed: HYX, SAGINAW, MI
- Destination: MPG, Moundsville, WV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MPG, Marshall County, runway 24, 3,301 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 506 total, 2.5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KHLG, 18 nm away

## 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 20160609005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160609005879A), Jun 9, 2016: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, Moundsville, WV, Substantial damage. Pilot[privacy data omitted], stated that he was ferrying N323TC from saginaw h. w. browne airport (hyx) to hanover county municipal airport (ofp) Virginia,…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93364. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 298 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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