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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 13, 2003 · Piper PA-46-500TP · N211EZ

Santa Fe, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 13, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-500TP
Tail Number
N211EZ
Operator
Brand New Entertainment
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA152

The pilot said he was at FL290 and was circumnavigating isolated thunderstorms. Flight Watch informed him of a SIGMET for thunderstorms forming between Colorado and New Mexico. At the suggestion of Flight Watch, the pilot turned toward an alternate airport, but he had to continually change heading due to rapidly developing cells. He did not have enough fuel to fly to this alternate, so he elected to divert to another alternate airport. All anti-ice equipment was turned on. During the descent through the clouds, mixed icing started to rapidly accumulate on the aircraft. As the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to leave the icing conditions, the plane encountered severe downdrafts. The pilot declared an emergency and landed at his alternate airport in visual meteorological conditions without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed the inboard panels of both bonded wings were wrinkled, necessitating the replacement of the entire wing assembly.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadvertent encounter with turbulence associated with thunderstorms. A contributing factor was the icing conditions.

Full Narrative

On June 13, 2003, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N211EZ, was substantially damaged when it encountered turbulence during descent to Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Novato, California, approximately 0830 Pacific daylight time, and was en route to Gunnison, Colorado. Unable to determine the extent of damage, the accident was not reported either by the pilot, the airframe manufacturer, or the local FAA Flight Standards District Office. NTSB learned of this accident in a conversation with a local repair facility that was corroborated by the airplane insurance company. According to the pilot, he was at FL290 and was circumnavigating isolated thunderstorms. Flight Watch informed him of a SIGMET for thunderstorms forming between Colorado and New Mexico. At the suggestion of Flight Watch, the pilot turned toward Tucumcari, New Mexico, but he had to continually change heading due to rapidly developing cells. He did not have enough fuel to fly to Tucumcari, so he pilot elected to divert to Santa Fe, New Mexico. All anti-ice equipment was turned on. During the descent through the clouds, mixed icing started to rapidly accumulate on the aircraft. As the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to leave the icing conditions, the plane encountered severe downdrafts. The pilot declared an emergency and landed at Santa Fe in visual meteorological conditions without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed the inboard panels of both bonded wings were wrinkled, necessitating the replacement of the entire wing assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MDT
Nearest AirportSanta Fe Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway020
Runway Length8342 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-46-500TP
Tail NumberN211EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrand New Entertainment
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-42A · Turboprop · 500
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data