Casualties unknown

Pilot Loses Directional Control During Landing Roll, Airplane Veers Off Runway and Collides with Terrain (N6062D)

Minden, NV, US

On April 18, 2004, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N6062D) operated by James Plake was involved in an aviation accident near Minden, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, resulting in a collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During landing roll, pilot lost directional control after wind gust displaced airplane. Despite corrective inputs, airplane veered left off runway, colliding with terrain, resulting in landing gear collapse and right wing impact.

Accident Details

The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain while on the landing roll. During the approach, while on the downwind leg, the pilot observed the airport's tetrahedron indicating winds from a northerly direction. On short final, after crossing the runway threshold, he noted the windsock at the end of the runway indicated calm conditions. The pilot configured with full flaps and attempted a three-point landing.

Pilot Actions

During the flare, the airplane was displaced about 10 to 15 feet to the right of centerline by a wind gust. The airplane touched down at about 45 miles per hour and began to veer to the left. The airplane continued an arc off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and brake pressure, while inputting left aileron, in an effort to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and encountered a depression in the terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted terrain.

Environmental Conditions

The pilot stated that he thought the accident could have been prevented if he had added full power when the airplane was initially displaced during touchdown. He reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with 15-knot gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040430X00540. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.