# NTSB GAA18CA036: Socata TBM 850, N893CA, Las Vegas, NM, November 5, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2017, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.654445, -105.142501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6544&lon=-105.1425&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96291/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96291
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA036

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions during the go-around.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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: [Socata TBM 700, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=8682000), [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: [Socata TBM 700, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Socata TBM 700, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Socata TBM 700, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8682000), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the turbine-powered airplane reported that, while landing in a gusting crosswind, it was "obvious" the wind had changed directions. He performed a go-around, but "the wind slammed [the airplane] to the ground extremely hard." Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right off the runway and then back to the left before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 270° at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the turbine powered airplane reported that, while landing in a gusting crosswind, it was "obvious" the wind had changed directions. He performed a go-around, but "the wind slammed [the airplane] to the ground extremely hard". Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right off the runway and then back to the left before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, that the wind was from 270° at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N893CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N893CA-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 393, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOCATA TBM 850
- Registry model: [Socata TBM 700](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tbm-700) (registry code 8682000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A66D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a66d) (registry code 52281, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 393
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 2304
- Engines: P&W PT6A-66D 850 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 2017
- Departed: TS52, TOMBALL, TX
- Destination: LVS, Las Vegas, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LVS, Las Vegas Muni, runway 20, 5,006 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Heads up display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,850 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KLVS

## 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 20171105018299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171105018299A), Nov 5, 2017: Socata TBM 700, Las Vegas, NM, Destroyed. On 05 November 2017, at approximately 1130 mountain standard time, a Socata TBM-700 airplane, N893CA, serial number 393, attempted to land on runway 20 at the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96291. 1.8 MB in all.

- Accident Photo (item 1, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF
- Weather Study Report (item 2, .PDF, 993 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Study%20Report-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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