Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the sudden windshift and/or windshear.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 28, 1996, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-180, N7256P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at Carlsbad, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured and two passengers received minor injuries. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred and no flight plan was filed for this cross country flight which originated in Amarillo, Texas, at 1500. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, he elected to perform a go-around due to changing winds and could not keep the aircraft airborne due to adverse wind. He landed in flat sandy terrain next to the airport. The pilot said the distance from first encountering the unexpected descent to the point of impact was approximately 1.2 miles and that at onset of the descent, he was approximately 800 feet above ground level (agl).
The pilot of another aircraft, which was ahead of the accident aircraft, reported the winds to be 360 degrees at 10 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96LA187