Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-25-235 near Boonville, MO — 2013-06-30

Final reportCEN13LA520
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Date
2013-06-30
Location
Boonville, MO, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-25-235
Registration
N7064Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing on a gravel road.

NTSB narrative

While flying, the pilot was looking for a suitable location to load the airplane for agricultural operations (the previously agreed upon location was not accessible). He was texting the ground crew to figure out options. After doing so, he made several low passes to better evaluate the road upon which he planned to land, to evaluate the wing tip clearance from the corn, and to attempt to signal the ground crew of the location change because cellular service was sporadic. The pilot stated that he made the low passes with full flaps and that he also evaluated the wing tip clearance from the corn. After the last pass and during the landing roll, he looked right to ensure that the wing would clear the corn. The airplane then veered left 180 degrees, rolled backward, and impacted terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have caused the loss of directional control during the landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different road or location for landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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