# NTSB LAX00LA351: Piper PA-22-150, N2963P, North Las Vegas, NV, September 23, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2000, 17:06 local (Sep 23, 2000, 00:06 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.210353, -115.120452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2104&lon=-115.1205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50339/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA351 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty and variable crosswind conditions. Factors were the variable and gusty crosswinds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport/facilities - exposed runway lip/edge - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis During landing, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway, contacted the runway edge, and collapsed the nose gear. According to the pilot, he unsuccessfully attempted to compensate for a wind gust. The recorded winds at the time of the accident included variable 30-knot gusts between 150 and 210 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2000, at 1706 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2963P, collapsed the nose landing gear after contacting the left runway edge while landing at the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage; however, neither the certificated private pilot nor the passenger were injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada, about 1406. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot's initial telephone statement, the airplane was landing on runway 25 when the pilot attempted to compensate for a gusting crosswind. The nose wheel contacted the edge of the asphalt runway and collapsed. Subsequent damage included the lower engine cowling, the propeller, and right wing which struck the ground. The pilot received a flight review 19 days prior to the accident, and had 50 hours in the make and model. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot accumulated 300 hours of total flight time. A private pilot certificate was issued in March 1991. Winds at the time of the accident were reported to be from 180 degrees at 20 knots. Gusting winds were also reported as 150 degrees varying to 210 degrees at 30 knots. A post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the right wing spar was bent and two ribs were broken. The engine mount displayed several fractures. The propeller and spinner showed evidence of bending and the lower engine cowling was crushed. The pilot did not provide a NTSB form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report of Aircraft Accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2963P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2963P-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 22-3236, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3236 - Airframe hours: 2721 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Mitchell, Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RNO, RENO, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 25, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review September 3, 2000; flight hours: 300 total, 50 in this make and model, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.46 inHg - Observed at: VGT ## 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 20000922013859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000922013859A), Sep 22, 2000: Piper PA22150, Las Vegas, NV, No damage. (-23) According to witnesses, the pilot was landing in a crosswind when a very strong crosswind affected the landing. While trying to compensate for the strong… 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.