# NTSB WPR23LA002: Piper PA 46-350P, N987PS, Clovis, NM, October 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 2, 2022, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Clovis, NM · On airport - Coordinates: 34.42659, -103.07758 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4266&lon=-103.0776&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Piper Aircraft Inc., Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 106042 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106042/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106042 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA002 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to follow the go-around procedures by prematurely retracting the flaps and not establishing a proper go-around climb speed after attempting to land with a quartering tailwind, resulting in the airplane’s inability to climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot approached the destination airport, the wind was reported as light and variable. He stated that as he flew the visual approach to runway 4 and prepared to land, he encountered a major gust of wind and elected to perform a go-around. The pilot reported that he applied full engine power, retracted the landing gear and flaps, and initiated a climb when the “stall shaker started shaking”. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling and initiated a gear-up landing to an open field adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported encountering a gust of wind; however, the wind reported at the airport 4 minutes before the accident was from 180 ° at 11 knots. The wind reported about an hour after the accident was from 160° at 10 knots. Neither weather report indicated wind gusts or significant changes in wind direction. The calculated crosswind component at the time of the accident was about 7 knots, with a tailwind of about 8 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Given the pilot’s description of the go-around and the absence of a mechanical failure or malfunction, he likely retracted the flaps before establishing the required climb airspeed and positive rate of climb. The quartering tailwind would have contributed to the loss of expected airplane performance, resulting in an incipient stall and the subsequent gear-up landing. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 2022, about 1600 Mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N987PS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he encountered “a major wind gust” while on a visual approach to runway 4 at Clovis Regional Airport (CVN). In response, he aborted the approach, applied full engine power, and retracted the landing gear and flaps; however, the airplane did not have enough speed and power to maintain flight. The pilot subsequently felt the airplane buffet and lowered the nose. The pilot maneuvered the airplane and initiated a gear-up landing to an open field adjacent to runway 4. During the landing sequence, the right horizontal stabilizer impacted an airport sign, and the airplane came to rest upright. A postaccident fire ensued. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 4 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 11 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 56 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 10 knots. The calculated crosswind component at the time of the accident was about 7 knots, with a tailwind of about 8 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage undercarriage, right horizontal stabilizer, and the right elevator were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), Section 4.33, “GO-AROUND,” states in part, “To initiate a go-around from a landing approach, the mixture should be set to full RICH, the propeller control should be a full INCREASE, and the throttle should be advanced to full power while the pitch attitude is increased to obtain the balked landing climb speed of 80 KIAS. Retract the landing gear and slowly retract the flaps when a positive climb is established. Allow the airplane to accelerate to the best angle of climb (81 KIAS) for obstacle clearance or to the best rate of climb speed (110 KIAS) if obstacles are not a factor.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N987PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N987PS-2024-03-23), registration cancelled 2024-03-23, S/N 46-36225, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-36225 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 2936.8 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Seven S Farms LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 2022 - Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CVN, Clovis Rgnl, runway 04, 7,200 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,946 total, 3,323 in this make and model, 4,946 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KCVN - METAR: KCVN 022156Z AUTO 18011KT 10SM BKN080 27/06 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP200 T02670061 ## 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 20221002015899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221002015899A), Oct 2, 2022: Piper PA 46-350P, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. On oct 2, 2022, at approximately 22:05Z (16:05 MDT) a Piper PA-46-350P, serial number 46-36225, bearing registration number[privacy data omitted], and [privacy… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106042. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15213352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of phone conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15924252&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15213362&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA002%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Pilots operating handbook - go around excerpt (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15213547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot_s%20Operating%20Handbook%20(POH)%20-%20Go%20Around%20excerpt-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15212984&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 6, PDF, 15 pages, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15213270&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15328202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA002%20Release%20of%20Wreckage_Redacted-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.