Pilot Debrief

HONDA AIRCRAFT CO LLC HA-420 near Buena Vista, CO — 2023-03-06

Final reportCEN23LA134
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Date
2023-03-06
Location
Buena Vista, CO, USA
Airport
KAEJ
Aircraft
HONDA AIRCRAFT CO LLC HA-420
Registration
N118CX
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting left crosswind resulting in the runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was coming into the airport to land following a cross-country flight. The pilot reported they checked the weather, entered the current conditions in the Garmin Control Unit, and received the results they expected for the RNAV approach to runway 33. The airport manager came on the radios and reported the winds as 280o at 8 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The crew captured the glidepath before the final approach fix and the co-pilot called out speeds to touchdown, the last being 115 kts. The touchdown was normal, but then the airplane experienced a strong yaw to the left from a wind gust. The pilot attempted to steer the airplane back, but the airplane went off the left side of the runway, struck a taxiway sign, and came to a stop with the nose of the airplane facing the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left inboard wing and lower left fuselage. The crew reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the airplane was landing on runway 33 with reported winds 280o at 8 knots with gusts to 24 knots. Following the accident, the company put in place stricter crosswind component limits for its’ fleet of airplanes.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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