# NTSB WPR12LA075: Piper Aerostar 601P, N104RM, Las Vegas, NV, January 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 5, 2012, 15:39 local (23:39 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.20861, -115.195274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2086&lon=-115.1953&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82624/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82624 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7106012), [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: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7106012), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, immediately after touchdown, the airplane began “wavering” and moments later veered to the left. He attempted to regain directional control with the application of “full right rudder” and the airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway. A witness reported that the airplane’s touchdown was “firm” but not abnormal. As the airplane approached the left side of the runway, it yawed right and skidded down the runway while facing right. As the airplane began moving to the right side of the runway, the witness heard the right engine increase to near full power. The airplane spun to the left, coming to rest facing the opposite direction from its approach to landing. Another witness reported seeing the propellers contact the ground. The pilot attributed the loss of directional control to a main landing gear malfunction. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left propeller assembly was feathered and that the right propeller blades were bent forward, indicative of the right engine impacting terrain under high power. Both throttle levers were found in the aft/closed position, and both propeller control levers were in the full-forward position. The propeller control levers exhibited little friction and could be moved with pressure from one finger. The evidence suggested that the pilot inadvertently feathered the left propeller assembly during the accident sequence. The pilot did not report any preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane’s engines or propeller assemblies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On January 5, 2012, at 1539 Pacific standard time, a Piper Aerostar 601P, N104RM, sustained substantial damage during a landing at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight, which had originated approximately 39 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice instrument landing approaches. On the third approach, he requested to side step from runway 12 left to 12 right for a full stop landing. The tower controller approved the side step and cleared him for landing. The pilot reported that almost immediately after touchdown, the airplane began “wavering” and moments later, veered to the left. He attempted to regain directional control with the application of “full right rudder” and subsequently the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The pilot attributed the loss of directional control to a main landing gear malfunction. A witness said that the airplane’s landing touchdown was “firm” but not abnormal. Several witnesses observed the airplane to “fishtail” almost immediately after touchdown and drift towards the left side of the runway. As the airplane approached the left side of the runway, it “yawed” right and went “skidding” down the runway while facing right. The left engine propeller blades began contacting the runway. The witness said that as the airplane began moving to the right side of the runway, he heard the right engine increase to near full power. When the airplane entered the dirt on the right side of the runway, it spun to the left coming to rest facing the opposite direction from its approach to landing. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that both wings were bent up, the wing flaps were bent, the left wing’s fuel tank was compromised, and the fuselage had several holes in it. On January 25, 2012, the airplane was examined by the FAA inspector and a licensed mechanic. They found the left propeller assembly feathered, and the right propeller blades were bent forward. Examination of the cockpit revealed the both throttle leavers were in the aft/closed position, the propeller control leavers were full forward, and the mixture controls were full rich. The throttle levers in the cockpit exhibited normal operation and friction, but both propeller control levers exhibited little friction and could be moved with one finger’s pressure. The pilot had not reported any malfunctions with the airplane’s engines or their propeller assemblies. A police video documented that moments after the accident, a police officer suggested that the pilot turn the airplane's electrical power off; the pilot was observed to reenter the accident airplane.The mechanic suggested that the forward bending of the right propeller blades indicated that the right engine was at a high power setting when it contacted the ground and that the airplane was sliding backwards. Additional, the right wing flaps were bent forward indicating aft movement at the time of terrain contact. The airplane’s nose and main landing gears were examined, and no preimpact anomalies were identified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104RM-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 61P07568063375, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 601P - Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P07568063375 - Airframe hours: 4480 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ivans Norman B - Registered owner: Ivans Norman B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2011 - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas Airport, runway 12R, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 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 20120105000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120105000739A), Jan 5, 2012: Piper AEROSTAR 601P, North Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. During a landing attempt at vgt on 01/05/2012, on runway 12R, the PIC lost control of N104RM and caused substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Docket (15 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82624. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements Collected by FAA (item 2, .PDF, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20Collected%20by%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement from Airport Operations (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20from%20Airport%20Operations-Redacted.PDF - FAA ATC Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20ATC%20Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Video Viewing by IIC (item 6, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Video%20Viewing%20by%20IIC-Master.PDF - Lone Mountain Post Accident Inspection (item 7, .PDF, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Lone%20Mountain%20Post%20Accident%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. View of power control, gear down and flaps down (item 8, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20View%20of%20power%20control,%20gear%20down%20and%20flaps%20down-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Throttles aft, propellers forward and mixtures forward (item 9, .PDF, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Throttles%20aft,%20propellers%20forward%20and%20mixtures%20forward-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Tires marks of the initial left drift on landing roll (item 10, .PDF, 751 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Tires%20marks%20of%20the%20initial%20left%20drift%20on%20landing%20roll-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Runway gouges from the left propeller (item 11, .PDF, 822 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Runway%20gouges%20from%20the%20left%20propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Left propeller blades curled-bent and feathered (item 12, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Left%20propeller%20blades%20curled-bent%20and%20feathered-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Airplane resting on right wing, left propeller feathered (item 13, .PDF, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Airplane%20resting%20on%20right%20wing,%20left%20propeller%20feathered-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Right propeller blades bent forward (item 14, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20Right%20propeller%20blades%20bent%20forward-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Right wing flaps bent forward (item 15, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20Right%20wing%20flaps%20bent%20forward-Master.PDF 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.