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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 15, 2003 · Socata TBM 700 · N700GJ

Aspen, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Aspen, CO
Aircraft
Socata TBM 700
Tail Number
N700GJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA043

The approach was stabilized at 100 knots with landing gear and flaps in the landing position. The approach was normal until approximately 100 feet above the runway at which time the airplane encountered a turbulence condition causing rapid-roll tendencies right and left. As the student began his landing flare at about 15 feet above the runway, the left wing dropped rapidly combined with a sudden high sink rate. At that point the flight instructor took control of the airplane, applying corrective rudder, aileron, pitch and power corrections. Despite the flight instructor's actions, the left wing struck the runway. Winds at the time were reported 310 degrees at 6 knots. The temperature was 2 degrees Celsius. Records suggest that the winds were variable throughout the day.

NTSB Probable Cause

the dual student's failure to maintain aircraft control and the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor. Contributing factors include the tailwind and the turbulence.

Full Narrative

On February 15, 2003, at 1601 mountain standard time, a Socata TBM 700, N700GJ, was substantially damaged when it dragged a wing during landing at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, Colorado. The airline transport pilot flight instructor, the private pilot receiving instruction, and their two passengers were not injured. RBL Aviation LLC, of Carlsbad, California, was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated at approximately 1515 from Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The pilot was flying under an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan. The flight instructor said the instrument rated private pilot flew the VOR/DME approach to runway 15, and they broke out of the clouds at approximately 11,500 to 12,000 feet. He said the approach was stabilized at 100 knots with landing gear and flaps in the landing position. "The approach was normal until approximately 100 feet above the runway at which time the airplane encountered a probable wind shear or wake turbulence condition causing rapid-roll tendencies right and left. As the [student] began his landing flare at about 15 feet above the runway the left wing dropped rapidly combined with a sudden high sink rate." At that point the flight instructor said he took control of the airplane, "applying corrective rudder, aileron, pitch and power corrections." Despite the flight instructor's actions, the left wing tip struck the runway. An airport employee was at the A-2 intersection, 1/4-mile from where the event took place. The employee observed the aircraft, during the landing flare, rise suddenly 6 to 10 feet. The aircraft then banked hard to the left. The employee noted that there were no unusual winds; they were nearly calm. Winds at the time were reported 310 degrees at 6 knots. The temperature was 2 degrees Celsius. According to weather records, the winds had been variable throughout the day. Postaccident examination of the left wing revealed that four outboard ribs were bent, an aileron hinge was abraded, the upper wing skin was wrinkled, and the spoiler push rod was bent.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:01 MST
Nearest AirportAspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Field (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length7006 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata TBM 700
Tail NumberN700GJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT-6-64 · Turboprop · 700
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 23 C
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data