# NTSB LAX00LA110: Piper PA-34-200, N15202, Big Bear City, CA, February 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 2000, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Big Bear City, CA - Coordinates: 34.259456, -116.840705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2595&lon=-116.8407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48717/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of a final approach airspeed in variance with the manufacturer's recommendations, which was too slow for the gusty and variable crosswind conditions, which resulted in a stall/mush and a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - flight manuals - disregarded, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vref) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Approaching runway 26, the pilot was advised by airport personnel on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that the automated weather observing system (AWOS) indicated the wind was 13 knots with gusts to 28 knots. Also, its direction was variable from 170 to 230 degrees. The pilot reported that he slowed the airplane's approach speed to 90 knots and extended the flaps to the normal midrange position. About 30 feet above the runway he encountered a wind gust and lost control of the airplane. It impacted the runway, yawed sideways, and came to a stop with a collapsed landing gear and bent fuselage. The airplane's manufacturer suggests in its "Pilot's Operating Manual," that in crosswind or high-wind conditions, a higher than normal (90 knot) approach speed be used and the pilot should consider using no flaps. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2000, about 1145 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N15202, operated by the pilot, made a hard landing and was substantially damaged at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear City, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one of the passengers were not injured; the second passenger sustained a minor injury. The flight originated from Carlsbad, California, about 1045. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that, while approaching the airport, he had received a report from the Unicom operator regarding the local wind direction and speed. Thereafter, he elected to land on runway 26. About 30 feet above the runway he encountered a wind gust and lost control of the airplane. It impacted the runway, yawed sideways, and came to a stop with a collapsed landing gear and bent fuselage. The pilot also reported that during the final approach he used a "normal" flap setting of 20 degrees, and on short final approach he reduced the airplane's approach speed from 100 to 90 knots. Airport management reported to the Safety Board investigator that when the pilot was on final approach he was advised the automated weather observing system (AWOS) indicated the wind direction was variable, between 170 and 230 degrees. Its speed was 13 knots with gusts to 28 knots. In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated that the wind was from 210 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. According to the Piper PA-34-200 (Seneca) "Pilot's Operating Manual," the second notch of flaps provides for 25 degrees of flap extension. The manual includes handling suggestions for approach and landing. In pertinent part, it states, "if the aircraft is lightly loaded, the final approach speed may be reduced to 90 MPH." However, "flap position for landing will depend on runway length and surface wind." For crosswind or high-wind landing, "approach with higher than normal speed and with 25 degrees of flaps or no flaps." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15202](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15202-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 34-7350034, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350034 - Airframe hours: 6608 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth K. Gheysar - Registered owner: Exotic Transportation Systems - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1999, 98 hours before - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA - Destination: L35 - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 538 total, 173 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 13 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 111 °F, dew point 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: L35 ## 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 20000227005249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000227005249A), Feb 27, 2000: Piper PA34200, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft encountered cross winds and wind gusts while on approach which caused a hard landing. The results were substantial damage to aircraft and minor… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.