Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Piper PA-28-161, N536CA: Accident occurred August 19, 2017 at Sun Valley Airport (A20), Bullhead City, Mohave County, Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N536CA

National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Factual Report

Location: Mohave, AZ
Accident Number: GAA17CA503
Date & Time: 08/19/2017, 1145 MST
Registration: N536CA
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15 knots, and it was gusting. He reported that, during landing, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall." The airplane stalled about 8 ft above the runway and landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.

The METAR at the nearest airport (7 miles from accident airport) reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4 knots. An hour later, the METAR reported that the wind was 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper airspeed and pitch control during landing in variable, gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Pitch control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Variable wind - Ability to respond/compensate
Gusts - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Other weather encounter
Hard landing

The pilot reported that during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15kts and gusting.

During landing, he reported that, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall."

The airplane stalled about 8ft above runway 18 and landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.

The METAR at the nearest airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4kts and the temperature was 95°F. The field elevation was 725ft and the density altitude was 3,315ft.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/18/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:  08/27/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 212 hours (Total, all aircraft), 208 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N536CA
Model/Series: PA 28 161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2841024
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2440 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  12700 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIFP, 695 ft msl
Observation Time: 1735 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 2°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 35°C / 7°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 210°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: BULLHEAD CITY, AZ (IFP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mohave, AZ (A20)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: SUN VALLEY (A20)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 725 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3700 ft / 42 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries:  1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  35.005556, -114.565000 (est) Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N536CA

National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Factual Report

Location: Mohave, AZ
Accident Number: GAA17CA503
Date & Time: 08/19/2017, 1145 MST
Registration: N536CA
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15kts and gusting.

During landing, he reported that, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall."

The airplane stalled about 8ft above runway 18 and landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.

The METAR at the nearest airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4kts and the temperature was 95°F. The field elevation was 725ft and the density altitude was 3,315ft.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/18/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:  08/27/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 212 hours (Total, all aircraft), 208 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N536CA
Model/Series: PA 28 161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2841024
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2440 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  12700 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIFP, 695 ft msl
Observation Time: 1735 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 2°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 35°C / 7°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 210°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: BULLHEAD CITY, AZ (IFP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mohave, AZ (A20)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: SUN VALLEY (A20)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 725 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3700 ft / 42 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries:  1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  35.005556, -114.565000 (est)

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