# NTSB LAX04CA189: Piper PA-22-150, N6062D, Minden, NV, April 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 18, 2004, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.000278, -119.750556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0003&lon=-119.7506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59091/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA189 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, resulting in a collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain while on the landing roll. While on the downwind leg of the approach, the pilot observed the airport's tetrahedron indicating winds from a northerly direction. On short final, after crossing the runway threshold, he noted the windsock at the end of the runway indicated calm conditions. He configured with full flaps, and attempted a three-point landing. During the flare, the airplane was displaced about 10 to 15 feet to the right of centerline by a wind gust. The airplane touched down about 45 miles per hour and began to veer to the left. The airplane continued an arc, off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and brake pressure, while inputting left aileron, in an effort to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and encountered a depression in the terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted terrain. The pilot stated that he thought the accident could have been prevented if he had added full power when the airplane was initially displaced during touchdown. He reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with 15-knot gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2004, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6062D, experienced a loss of directional control and collided with terrain while on the landing roll at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Minden about 0825. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he departed runway 12 with erratic, light wind conditions with strong gusts. During the local flight, he monitored wind conditions at the airport via the automated weather observation system (AWOS). Upon returning to the airport, about 0915, winds were reported calm. He opted to land on runway 34, the favored runway in calm wind conditions. While on the downwind leg of the approach, he observed the airport's tetrahedron indicating winds from a northerly direction. On short final, after crossing the runway threshold, he noted the windsock at the end of the runway indicated calm conditions. The pilot configured the airplane with full flaps, and attempted a three-point landing. During the flare, a wind gust displaced the airplane about 10 to 15 feet to the right of centerline. The airplane touched down about 45 miles per hour and began to veer to the left. The airplane continued an arc, off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and brake pressure, while inputting left aileron, in an effort to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and encountered a depression in the terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted terrain. The pilot stated that he thought the accident could have been prevented if he had added full power when the airplane was initially displaced during touchdown. He reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with 15-knot gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6062D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6062D), registered now, S/N 22-4715 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4715 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Plake - Registered owner: James and Pamela Plake - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe Airport, runway 34 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 801 total, 168 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040418005439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040418005439A), Apr 18, 2004: Piper PA22150, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot statement: narrative history of flight: April 18, 2004, james plake in N6062D. The takeoff was approximately 0825 from runway 12 at Minden/tahoe… ## Other investigations on N6062D (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC78DHA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78DHA15), Feb 11, 1978: Piper PA-20 (N6062D), Collegeville, PA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC65F0088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0088), Apr 1, 1965: Piper PA-22 (N6062D), Edgewater, MD, substantial damage 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.