# NTSB WPR20LA322: Piper PA32-300, N4132W, Silver Springs, NV, September 26, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 25, 2020, 19:45 local (Sep 26, 2020, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Silver Springs, NV - Coordinates: 39.401847, -119.25412 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4018&lon=-119.2541&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 102058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA322 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a nighttime landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a sign. ## 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 PA-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [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 PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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 PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 24 at night, with a crosswind, the airplane veered to the right and despite his control inputs to correct, the airplane exited the runway onto the adjacent soft terrain. Concerned the airplane may “get stuck” in the soft terrain, he maintained power and continued to taxi towards the taxiway. He heard and felt a bang that jolted the airplane. After slowing and turning onto the taxiway, the airplane would not continue. After shutting down the engine, the pilot inspected the airplane and found that the right main landing gear tire was flat, and the left wing was substantially damaged as a result of a collision with a taxiway sign. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the automated weather at the time of the accident was reporting the wind from 290o at 12 knots, gusting to 24 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4132W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4132W), registered now, S/N 32-40198, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40198 - Airframe hours: 7293 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2020 - Departed: FLX, Fallon, NV - Destination: FLX, Fallon, NV - Airport: SPZ, Silver Springs Airport, runway 24, 6,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; flight engineer, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 1,132 total, 243 in this make and model, 1,083 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KCXP, 26 nm away - METAR: KCXP 260235Z AUTO 34014KT 10SM CLR 24/01 A3010 RMK AO2 ## 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 20200925020239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200925020239A), Sep 25, 2020: Piper PA-32-300, Silver Springs, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that during landing in gusty wind conditions the aircraft veered off runway and he thought the aircraft was sinking into the ground. The pilot did… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102058. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12568245&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20WPR20LA322_Redacted-Rel%20(1)-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12555928&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA322-Rel.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.