Pilot Debrief

Paul Antares near Petaluma, CA — 2009-06-20

Final reportWPR09LA301
Sign in to save
Date
2009-06-20
Location
Petaluma, CA, USA
Airport
O69
Aircraft
Paul Antares
Registration
N729YF
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusting winds.

NTSB narrative

The pilot encountered turbulence that continued to increase while entering the pattern for landing. On final approach, the pilot added power to counteract the turbulent wind condition. The trike continued to experience turbulence and the pilot decided to descend rapidly once past the runway numbers in hopes of finding smoother air. At this point, she still felt that she had control of the trike. About 50 feet above the ground; however, a gust of wind struck the trike and pushed it off the runway centerline. She corrected back to the runway, and at this point the trike became uncontrollable and impacted the runway in a nose-down attitude. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the trike at the time of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have stayed at higher altitude to avoid downdraft.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps