# NTSB MIA06CA072: Piper PA32-301, N326XT, Key West, FL, March 26, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2006, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Key West, FL - Coordinates: 24.560277, -81.76583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5603&lon=-81.7658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63437 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63437/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA072 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a crosswind, resulting in collapse of the nose landing gear. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - weather condition - crosswind - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis During landing, the airplane exited the runway, and the nose gear collapsed. According to the pilot, the flight proceeded to the destination airport and with the wind from the north at "...10 or more knots. It was also very gusty..." he was cleared to land on runway 09. As the main landing gear contacted the runway the nose of the airplane "lifted unexpectedly and moved to my left. The aircraft then veered sharply to the left and off the side of the runway." The nose landing gear collapsed after it contacted a gravel area just off the runway. He further stated that he should have put in "...better wind corrections and got the aircraft pointed straight down the runway." A surface observation weather report taken at the Key West International Airport on the day of the accident at 1131, or approximately 11 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was from 350 degrees at 15 knots. No wind gusts were reported during that observation. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2006, about 1120 eastern standard time, a Piper PA32-301XTC, registered to and operated by a private individual, ran off the runway and collapsed the nose landing gear during landing at Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Venice Municipal Airport, Venice, Florida, to Key West International Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1000, from Venice Municipal Airport. The pilot stated that the flight proceeded to the destination airport and with the wind from the north at "...10 or more knots. It was also very gusty..." he was cleared to land on runway 09. As the main landing gear contacted the runway the nose of the airplane "lifted unexpectedly and moved to my left. The aircraft then veered sharply to the left and off the side of the runway." The nose landing gear collapsed after it contacted a gravel area just off the runway. He further stated that he should have put in "...better wind corrections and got the aircraft pointed straight down the runway." A surface observation weather report taken at the Key West International Airport on the day of the accident at 1131, or approximately 11 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was from 350 degrees at 15 knots. No wind gusts were reported during that observation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N326XT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N326XT-2014-10-15), registration cancelled 2014-10-15, S/N 3255001, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32-301 - Registry model: [New Piper PA-32-301XTC](https://openairdocs.org/model/new-piper-pa-32-301xtc) (registry code 7104604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ah1a) (registry code 42003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3255001 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bogdan Jakubowski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KVNC, Venice, FL - Destination: KEYW, Key West, FL - Airport: KEYW, Key West International, runway 09 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 159 total, 34 in this make and model, 74 in the last 90 days, 17 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 20060326003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060326003279A), Mar 26, 2006: Piper PA32301XTC, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing with a 13 knot crosswind, the aircraft departed the north side of runway 9 and skidded to a halt approximately 300 feet from the runway… 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.