# NTSB LAX01LA015: Piper PA-28R-200, N4826Q, Sedona, AZ, October 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 2000, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.939701, -111.939483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9397&lon=-111.9395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while on short final landing approach. A factor was the unfavorable wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - airport sign/marker - object - taxiway light - object - runway light ## Analysis While on short final for landing at an airport situated on a mesa, the airplane got caught in an updraft/downdraft situation and landed hard. The airplane skidded off the runway through brush and came to rest back on the runway after striking a taxiway sign and taxiway and runway lights. During the approach, the pilot attempted to compensate for the winds by making a higher and faster approach than normal. He checked his airspeed on short final and when he looked back outside the airplane was descending. He unsuccessfully attempted to arrest the descent by adding full power. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2000, at 1315 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N4826Q, landed hard, veered off runway 3, struck a taxiway sign, and taxiway and runway lights at the Sedona, Arizona, airport. The airplane was operated by Air Desert Pacific, and rented by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that departed Brackett Field Airport, La Verne, California, at 1040. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that was scheduled to terminate at the Sedona airport. A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) interviewed the pilot. While attempting to land on runway 3, the airplane encountered an updraft and an immediate downdraft. The airplane veered off the runway and came to rest back on the runway after it struck a taxiway sign and taxiway lights. The nose gear was sheared off, and the left main landing gear went through the wing. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he stated that he had landed at this airport 5 times before the accident. He was aware of possible wind shifts due to the terrain and airport geography. The airport sits on top of a mesa and the runway has an upslope from south to north. He stated that he planned his approach to be slightly high and fast to compensate for an unexpected wind change. He stated that on short final, about 100 feet agl with two notches of flaps down selected, the approach appeared normal. He noted his airspeed at the time was 85 mph. When he looked back outside he saw that the airplane was descending at a much greater rate than just a moment before. He added full power and rechecked his airspeed, which was now at 60 mph. However, application of full power did not arrest the descent and the airplane landed hard. The airplane skidded through brush and back on the runway. The main landing gear was pushed through the wings and the nose landing gear separated from the nose. The pilot stated that it only took a couple of seconds for the approach to change from a controlled stabilized approach to ". . . literally falling out of the sky . . . ." After the accident, he was standing on the runway and noted that the wind was gusting and variable, generally from a southerly direction, but that the wind was not steady in strength or direction. He believes that he was caught in an updraft. According to the airport manager, after the airplane landed hard it struck the guidance sign for taxiway A8 and one taxiway and one runway light. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4826Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4826Q-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 28R-7535052, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535052 - Airframe hours: 6545 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Desert Pacific - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 22, 2000, 47 hours before - Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA - Destination: SEZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,132 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 507 total, 42 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 135 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 21 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 20001014015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001014015479A), Oct 14, 2000: Piper PA28R200, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) A/c N4826Q received substantial damage while attempting a normal landing on rwy 03 at the Sedona Airport. During the landing manuever, the a/c impacted… 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.