Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was a lack of total experience in the aircraft type.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 29, 1993, about 1155 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 34-200, N5388T, crashed during landing at Sedona, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross country flight to Sedona when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Air Desert Pacific Corp., La Verne, California, received substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from La Verne, California, at 0922 hours.
The pilot reported that upon arrival in the Sedona area, he received a landing advisory on the airport unicom radio frequency. The wind conditions were reported as 180 degrees at 18 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. He indicated that after touch down on runway 21, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane departed the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway and then struck a ditch. The airplane received damage to the left main landing gear, left wing, and fuselage.
The pilot holds a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent third class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on June 8, 1992, and contained the limitation that correcting lenses be worn while exercising the privileges of his airman certificate.
According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 279 hours, of which 28 hours were accrued in the accident airplane. According to information provided by the pilot, a multiengine rating was issued to the pilot on April 13, 1993. In the preceding 90 and 30 days prior to the accident, the report lists a total of 22 and 4 hours respectively flown.
The Sedona airport is situated on a 500 foot mesa that rises above the surrounding terrain. It is equipped with a single hard surfaced runway on a 030/210 degree magnetic orientation. Runway 21 is 5,131 feet long by 75 feet wide. The published altitude of the airport is 4,827 feet mean sea level. According to airport/facility directory, turbulence may be experienced in the vicinity of the airport.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX93LA236