Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-32-301XTC near Taos, NM — 2008-01-17

Final reportDEN08CA051
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Date
2008-01-17
Location
Taos, NM, USA
Airport
SKX
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-301XTC
Registration
N819C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's excessive airspeed during the approach and loss of control during the landing. Contributing factors were the mountain turbulence and the snowbank.

NTSB narrative

During the approach, the airplane encountered "extreme mountain turbulence" and the pilot "kept his speed up." Shortly after touchdown, the airplane "windmilled" to the left. The pilot then aborted the landing and during initial climb, the airplane's main landing impacted a snow bank located at the end of the runway. The main landing gear separated from the airplane, and the airplane remained airborne. The pilot then flew around the local area for a unspecified period of time and landed gear-up at a nearby airport. During the gear-up landing, the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted the snow-covered terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed the right aileron was bent and partially separated.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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