Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R near Hamlin, TX — 2013-06-01

Final reportCEN13LA323
Sign in to save
Date
2013-06-01
Location
Hamlin, TX, USA
Airport
14F
Aircraft
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R
Registration
N4946X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities.

NTSB narrative

During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong, gusting right crosswind. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane ground-looped. The prevailing wind resulted in a right quartering tailwind with a gusting crosswind component of 23 knots. The maximum crosswind velocity for the accident airplane was 15 miles per hour; therefore, the calculated crosswind component exceeded the capability of the airplane. The pilot should not have landed with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier due to strong crosswinds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps