Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28R-201T near Addison, TX — 2014-11-30

Final reportCEN15LA062
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Date
2014-11-30
Location
Addison, TX, USA
Airport
ADS
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28R-201T
Registration
N533MC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a hard landing adjacent to the runway.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, just before touchdown while conducting a personal flight, the airplane encountered a wind gust that pushed it sideways toward the grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane subsequently landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The weather conditions reported at the airport included wind from 50 degrees left of the runway heading at 9 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the flight control system. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airplane control while landing with a gusting crosswind. The pilot reported that, during the cruise portion of the flight, smoke entered the cockpit from behind the instrument panel. He said that opening the vent window cleared the smoke in the cockpit and that his vision was not obstructed during the landing. Examination of the instrument panel revealed that three of the four screws that secure the right rear rocker panel cover were missing and that oil was leaking onto the engine's exhaust.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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