# NTSB GAA16CA505: Piper PA46R, N563WT, Reserve, NM, September 9, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2016, 20:12 local (Sep 9, 2016, 02:12 UTC)
- Place: Reserve, NM
- Coordinates: 33.694168, -108.85083
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6942&lon=-108.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA505
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94069/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94069
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA505

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind.

## Findings

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

- [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 PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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: [Piper PA46R-350T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while landing at dusk, he attempted to activate the pilot controlled lighting system, but was not successful. He further reported that there was a significant left crosswind, and that perhaps he did not crab enough. The airplane touched down on the grass to the right of the runway, he applied left rudder, the airplane veered to the left, crossed the runway, and continued off the runway to the left into rough terrain. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a nose down position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the weather at the time of the accident was wind 170 degrees true at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 24.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while landing at dusk, he attempted to activate the pilot controlled lighting system, but was not successful. He further reported that there was a significant left crosswind, and that perhaps he did not crab enough. The airplane touched down on the grass to the right of the runway, he applied left rudder, the airplane veered to the left, crossed the runway, and continued off the runway to the left into rough terrain. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a nose down position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the weather at the time of the accident was wind 170 degrees true at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 24.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N563WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N563WT), registered now, S/N 4692074, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA46R (350T)
- Registry model: [Piper PA46R-350T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa46r-350t) (registry code 7104610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4692074
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 987.8
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airtrek Investments Ltd
- Registered owner: Airtrek Investments Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 2015
- Departed: ONM, SOCORRO, NM
- Destination: T16, Reserve, NM
- Airport: T16, Reserve, runway 24, 4,777 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 776 total, 560 in this make and model, 674 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KSJN, 56 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 20160908015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160908015089A), Sep 8, 2016: Piper Aircraft Inc PA46R-350T, Reserve, NM, Substantial damage. On 8 September 2016, ^giuseppe nirta,^ the PIC, departed socorro, NM (konm) airport at approximately 1930 MDT in N563WT, a PA46-350T. The weather was VMC and…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94069. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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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