Piper PA60
Sedona, AZ — September 20, 2019
Event Information
| Date | September 20, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA559 |
| Event ID | 20190923X20308 |
| Location | Sedona, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.84861, -111.78833 |
| Airport | Sedona |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA60 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 4 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the retractable-landing gear, multi-engine airplane reported that, while on approach to land, he felt the airplane was a little slow and below glide path. He corrected by adding power, reestablishing on the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) glide path and continued the landing. However, when the airplane reached the approach end of the runway, the airplane aerodynamically stalled. He lowered the nose and the airplane landed about 15 ft before the threshold of the runway. The airplane bounced onto the runway, veered right, exited the runway onto the adjacent field, and the landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 15 knots and gusting to 24 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 210 at 15 to 25 knots, gusting 15 to 25 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.