Runway Excursion: Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage, N646CA; accident occurred January 14, 2022 at Dimmit County Airport (KCZT), Carrizo Springs, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Single Windmill Ranch LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N646CA

Location: Carrizo Springs, Texas

Accident Number: CEN22LA105

Date and Time: January 14, 2022, 15:30 Local

Registration: N646CA

Aircraft: Piper PA 46-350P 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Runway excursion

Injuries: 3 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that while landing at his destination airport and entering ground effect on final approach, the airplane “was blown left” from the runway centerline and ballooned. The pilot pushed the nose over to keep the airplane from stalling. As the wheels touched down, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and flap. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 13 with wind 180° at 8 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing with a gusting crosswind that resulted in a runway excursion.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Other weather encounter

Landing Loss of control on ground

Landing Runway excursion (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 47, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: February 1, 2021

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 26, 2021

Flight Time: 584 hours (Total, all aircraft), 80 hours (Total, this make and model), 23 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper

Registration: N646CA

Model/Series: PA 46-350P 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1995

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 4622196

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle 

Seats: 6

Date/Type of Last Inspection: August 16, 2021 Annual 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4300 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 2716 Hrs as of last inspection 

Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING

ELT: Installed, not activated 

Engine Model/Series: TI0-540 SER

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 310 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KCZT,598 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 15:30 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility: 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 14 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 180° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 1°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Lago Vista, TX (RYW)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Carrizo Springs, TX

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Dimmit County CZT

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 598 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 130

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 2 None

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 3 None

Latitude, Longitude: 28.442971,-99.899214(est)

Location: Carrizo Springs, Texas

Accident Number: CEN22LA105

Date and Time: January 14, 2022, 15:45 Local

Registration: N646CA

Aircraft: Piper PA 46-350P

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N646CA

Model/Series: PA 46-350P 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Condition of Light:

Observation Facility, Elevation:

Observation Time:

Distance from Accident Site:

Temperature/Dew Point:

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,

Lowest Ceiling:

Visibility:

Altimeter Setting: 

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Departure Point: 

Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 28.52225,99.823639 (est)