# NTSB WPR23LA363: Piper PA-32-300, N2957N, Needles, CA, August 13, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2023, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Needles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.527857, -114.43186
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5279&lon=-114.4319&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA363
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193497/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193497
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA363

## Probable cause

An encounter with windshear during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a loss of control and a subsequent hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/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-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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during initial takeoff climb, the airplane encountered windshear. He was unable to regain control and the airplane touched down hard on the paved runway. The airplane then veered off to the left of the runway and came to rest with the right main and nose landing gear separated from the fuselage. As a result of the impact, the spar sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2957N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2957N), registered now, S/N 32-7940228, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7940228
- Year built: 1979
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 49X, Chemehuevi Valley, runway 16/34, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: KHII, 5 nm away
- METAR: METAR KHII 132155Z AUTO 14008KT 100V160 10SM 42/07 A2981 RMK AO2=

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193497. 434 KB in all.

- Photographs (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16523632&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation of pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16810622&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20N2957N-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.

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