20 Sep 2019: Piper PA60 601P

20 Sep 2019: Piper PA60 601P — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Sedona, AZ, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the retractable-landing gear, multi-engine airplane reported that, while on approach to land, he felt the airplane was a little slow and below glide path. He corrected by adding power, reestablishing on the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) glide path and continued the landing. However, when the airplane reached the approach end of the runway, the airplane aerodynamically stalled. He lowered the nose and the airplane landed about 15 ft before the threshold of the runway. The airplane bounced onto the runway, veered right, exited the runway onto the adjacent field, and the landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

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

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 15 knots and gusting to 24 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 210 at 15 to 25 knots, gusting 15 to 25 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21.

Contributing factors

  • cause Capability exceeded
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Effect on operation
  • cause Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 180/15kt, vis 10sm

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