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NTSB Report

October 2, 2022 · Piper PA 46-350P · N987PS

Clovis, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Clovis, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA 46-350P (1999)
Tail Number
N987PS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR23LA002

As the pilot approached the destination airport, the wind was reported as light and variable. He stated that as he flew the visual approach to runway 4 and prepared to land, he encountered a major gust of wind and elected to perform a go-around. The pilot reported that he applied full engine power, retracted the landing gear and flaps, and initiated a climb when the “stall shaker started shaking”. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling and initiated a gear-up landing to an open field adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported encountering a gust of wind; however, the wind reported at the airport 4 minutes before the accident was from 180 ° at 11 knots. The wind reported about an hour after the accident was from 160° at 10 knots. Neither weather report indicated wind gusts or significant changes in wind direction. The calculated crosswind component at the time of the accident was about 7 knots, with a tailwind of about 8 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Given the pilot’s description of the go-around and the absence of a mechanical failure or malfunction, he likely retracted the flaps before establishing the required climb airspeed and positive rate of climb. The quartering tailwind would have contributed to the loss of expected airplane performance, resulting in an incipient stall and the subsequent gear-up landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to follow the go-around procedures by prematurely retracting the flaps and not establishing a proper go-around climb speed after attempting to land with a quartering tailwind, resulting in the airplane’s inability to climb.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 2022, about 1600 Mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N987PS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he encountered “a major wind gust” while on a visual approach to runway 4 at Clovis Regional Airport (CVN). In response, he aborted the approach, applied full engine power, and retracted the landing gear and flaps; however, the airplane did not have enough speed and power to maintain flight. The pilot subsequently felt the airplane buffet and lowered the nose. The pilot maneuvered the airplane and initiated a gear-up landing to an open field adjacent to runway 4. During the landing sequence, the right horizontal stabilizer impacted an airport sign, and the airplane came to rest upright. A postaccident fire ensued. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 4 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 11 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 56 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 10 knots. The calculated crosswind component at the time of the accident was about 7 knots, with a tailwind of about 8 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage undercarriage, right horizontal stabilizer, and the right elevator were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), Section 4.33, “GO-AROUND,” states in part, “To initiate a go-around from a landing approach, the mixture should be set to full RICH, the propeller control should be a full INCREASE, and the throttle should be advanced to full power while the pitch attitude is increased to obtain the balked landing climb speed of 80 KIAS. Retract the landing gear and slowly retract the flaps when a positive climb is established. Allow the airplane to accelerate to the best angle of climb (81 KIAS) for obstacle clearance or to the best rate of climb speed (110 KIAS) if obstacles are not a factor.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest AirportClovis Rgnl (0nm N)
Runway04
Runway Length7200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 46-350P
Tail NumberN987PS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-AE2A · Reciprocating · 350
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 F
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data