No fatalities

5 Nov 2017: SOCATA TBM 850 — Las Vegas, NM

Las Vegas, NM, United States

On 5 Nov 2017, a SOCATA TBM 850 was involved in an aviation accident near Las Vegas, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions during the go-around. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing in gusting crosswind conditions, a turbine-powered airplane executed a go-around but was forced to the ground, veered off the runway, and sustained substantial fuselage damage.

Accident Details

The pilot of a turbine-powered airplane reported that, during a landing in a gusting crosswind, it became "obvious" that the wind had changed directions. The pilot performed a go-around, but according to the pilot, "the wind slammed [the airplane] to the ground extremely hard." Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right off the runway and then back to the left before coming to rest.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, that the wind was from 270° at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20.

Contributing factors

Causes

Climb rate — Not attained/maintainedCrosswind correction — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationResponse/compensation