Pilot loses control during crosswind landing, aircraft veers into parking lot

Casualties unknown • Oroville, CA, US

A pilot attempting a landing in gusty crosswinds lost control after a hard bounce. The safety pilot took over but could not reach the controls due to seat position, causing the aircraft to leave the runway and strike a fence.

What happened

The pilot in command (PIC) elected to land on Runway 01 after overflying the airport to evaluate local conditions. The wind was estimated from 330 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. On final approach with flaps fully extended, the PIC observed that the wind had changed from a left to right crosswind. The PIC reduced power under direction of the safety pilot and the aircraft bounced hard on its nose gear. The PIC lost control of the aircraft and the safety pilot, the spouse of the PIC, took control of the aircraft. The safety pilot reported that the aircraft continued to drift left off the runway. He stated that his seat was in a rearward position and after he applied full power in an attempt at going around he was unable to reach the rudder pedals. The aircraft veered off the runway and the safety pilot aborted the attempted go around. The aircraft collided with a fence and came to a stop in a parking lot 150 yards from the runway.

Findings

The crosswind landing was complicated by gusty conditions and a shift in wind direction. The safety pilot's seat position prevented effective control input during the critical go-around phase.

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control during a crosswind landing due to a hard bounce and inability to maintain directional control, compounded by the safety pilot's inability to reach the rudder pedals due to seat positioning.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1985-04-27 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Oroville, CA?

A pilot attempting a landing in gusty crosswinds lost control after a hard bounce. The safety pilot took over but could not reach the controls due to seat position, causing the aircraft to leave the runway and strike a fence.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1985-04-27 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N15420, at Oroville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of control during a crosswind landing due to a hard bounce and inability to maintain directional control, compounded by the safety pilot's inability to reach the rudder pedals due to seat positioning.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X36246. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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