Event LAX04CA189

Factual narrative

On April 18, 2004, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6062D, experienced a loss of directional control and collided with terrain while on the landing roll at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Minden about 0825. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he departed runway 12 with erratic, light wind conditions with strong gusts. During the local flight, he monitored wind conditions at the airport via the automated weather observation system (AWOS). Upon returning to the airport, about 0915, winds were reported calm. He opted to land on runway 34, the favored runway in calm wind conditions. While on the downwind leg of the approach, he observed the airport's tetrahedron indicating winds from a northerly direction. On short final, after crossing the runway threshold, he noted the windsock at the end of the runway indicated calm conditions. The pilot configured the airplane with full flaps, and attempted a three-point landing. During the flare, a wind gust displaced the airplane about 10 to 15 feet to the right of centerline. The airplane touched down about 45 miles per hour and began to veer to the left. The airplane continued an arc, off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and brake pressure, while inputting left aileron, in an effort to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and encountered a depression in the terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted terrain. The pilot stated that he thought the accident could have been prevented if he had added full power when the airplane was initially displaced during touchdown. He reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with 15-knot gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain while on the landing roll. While on the downwind leg of the approach, the pilot observed the airport's tetrahedron indicating winds from a northerly direction. On short final, after crossing the runway threshold, he noted the windsock at the end of the runway indicated calm conditions. He configured with full flaps, and attempted a three-point landing. During the flare, the airplane was displaced about 10 to 15 feet to the right of centerline by a wind gust. The airplane touched down about 45 miles per hour and began to veer to the left. The airplane continued an arc, off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and brake pressure, while inputting left aileron, in an effort to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and encountered a depression in the terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted terrain. The pilot stated that he thought the accident could have been prevented if he had added full power when the airplane was initially displaced during touchdown. He reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with 15-knot gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12