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CEN15CA188

2015-02-12 · Akron, Ohio, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport AKR

Current FAA registration · N427AB

Make / Model
PIPER PA 46-350P
Engine
LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20020127
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A515A2

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

Factual narrative

The airplane veered off the left side of the runway during landing with a left gusting crosswind. The maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane was 17 knots. The pilot stated that he had applied right rudder and left aileron control inputs for the landing. The airplane left main landing gear touched down first and when the right main landing gear contacted the runway, a gust of wind lifted the left wing, resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and into a grass area adjacent to the runway where the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway during landing with a left gusting crosswind. The maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane was 17 knots. The pilot stated that he had applied right rudder and left aileron control inputs for the landing. The airplane left main landing gear touched down first and when the right main landing gear contacted the runway, a gust of wind lifted the left wing, resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and into a grass area adjacent to the runway where the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome - F
  • F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Contributed to outcome - F
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Crosswind correction-Attain/maintain not possible

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_CEN15CA188.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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