# NTSB WPR09CA066: Piper PA-46-350P, N379P, Idaho Falls, ID, December 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 21, 2008, 18:26 local (Dec 22, 2008, 01:26 UTC) - Place: Idaho Falls, ID - Coordinates: 43.51361, -112.070556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5136&lon=-112.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73134/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the icy runway conditions and a snow bank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [New Piper PA46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104607), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he checked the weather information for the arrival airport during the execution of an instrument approach. He stated that the weather report indicated the winds to be light, and that the runway had been plowed and sanded but was covered with light snow and patchy ice. Just after touchdown the airplane began to drift to the left; the pilot then countered with the gradual application of right rudder. The airplane momentarily straightened out, but as the ground speed decreased, the airplane continued the left drift. The airplane then departed the runway and collided with a snow bank causing substantial damage to the firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Piper PA-46-350P reported checking the weather information for the arrival airport during the execution of an instrument approach. He stated that the weather report indicated the winds to be light, and that the runway had been plowed and sanded, and was covered with light snow and patchy ice. Just after touchdown the airplane began to drift to the left; the pilot then countered with the gradual application of right rudder. The airplane momentarily straightened out, but as the ground speed decreased the airplane continued the left drift. The airplane then departed the runway and collided with a snow bank causing substantial damage to the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N379P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N379P), registered now, S/N 4636379, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-350P - Registry model: [New Piper PA46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/new-piper-pa46-350p) (registry code 7104607) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636379 - Airframe hours: 548 - Engines: Textron Lycoming TSIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2008, 548 hours before - Departed: GLD, Goodland, KS - Destination: IDA, Idaho Falls, ID - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: IDA, Idaho Falls Regional Airport, runway 02, 9,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 22 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: IAD ## 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 20081221853589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081221853589A), Dec 21, 2008: Piper PA46350P, Idaho Falls, ID, Substantial damage. On December 21, 2008 at approximately 18:26 local time N379P (PA46-350) veered off of the left side of runway 2 at Idaho Falls, ID (kida). The pilot stated… 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.