Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 402C near Isla de Vieques, PR — 2015-02-10

Final reportERA15LA125
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Date
2015-02-10
Location
Isla de Vieques, PR, USA
Airport
TJVQ
Aircraft
CESSNA 402C
Registration
N223PB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a strong crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was conducting a scheduled commuter flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown, the airplane encountered a wind gust and subsequently veered off of the runway. During the runway excursion, the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the landing gear and braking systems revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Although no archived weather information was available at the accident airport, the nearest weather reporting station recorded wind at the time of the accident that would have resulted in a direct 20-knot right crosswind. A review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook showed that the airplane had a maximum-demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to gusty wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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