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NTSB Report

May 29, 1993 · Piper PA-34-200 · N5388T

Sedona, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Sedona, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N5388T
Operator
Air Desert Pacific
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA236

THE PILOT WAS LANDING AT AN AIRPORT SITUATED ON A HIGH MESA. THE AIRPORT DIRECTORY NOTES THAT TURBULENCE MAY BE EXPEREINCED NEAR THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED 28 HOURS OF EXPEREINCE IN THE TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was a lack of total experience in the aircraft type.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1993, about 1155 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 34-200, N5388T, crashed during landing at Sedona, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross country flight to Sedona when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Air Desert Pacific Corp., La Verne, California, received substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from La Verne, California, at 0922 hours. The pilot reported that upon arrival in the Sedona area, he received a landing advisory on the airport unicom radio frequency. The wind conditions were reported as 180 degrees at 18 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. He indicated that after touch down on runway 21, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane departed the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway and then struck a ditch. The airplane received damage to the left main landing gear, left wing, and fuselage. The pilot holds a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent third class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on June 8, 1992, and contained the limitation that correcting lenses be worn while exercising the privileges of his airman certificate. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 279 hours, of which 28 hours were accrued in the accident airplane. According to information provided by the pilot, a multiengine rating was issued to the pilot on April 13, 1993. In the preceding 90 and 30 days prior to the accident, the report lists a total of 22 and 4 hours respectively flown. The Sedona airport is situated on a 500 foot mesa that rises above the surrounding terrain. It is equipped with a single hard surfaced runway on a 030/210 degree magnetic orientation. Runway 21 is 5,131 feet long by 75 feet wide. The published altitude of the airport is 4,827 feet mean sea level. According to airport/facility directory, turbulence may be experienced in the vicinity of the airport.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 MST
Nearest AirportSEDONA (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length5131 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN5388T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Desert Pacific
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1EG · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 18 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data