Piper PA-34-200 N15202
27 February 2000 · Big Bear City, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 27 February 2000 at about 19:45 local time, a Piper PA-34-200 registered N15202, operated by Kenneth K. Gheysar, was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Big Bear City, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Big Bear City (L35)
- Coordinates
- 34.2595, -116.8407
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200
- Registration
- N15202
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Kenneth K. Gheysar
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Carlsbad → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX00LA110
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of a final approach airspeed in variance with the manufacturer's recommendations, which was too slow for the gusty and variable crosswind conditions, which resulted in a stall/mush and a hard landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Approaching runway 26, the pilot was advised by airport personnel on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that the automated weather observing system (AWOS) indicated the wind was 13 knots with gusts to 28 knots. Also, its direction was variable from 170 to 230 degrees. The pilot reported that he slowed the airplane's approach speed to 90 knots and extended the flaps to the normal midrange position. About 30 feet above the runway he encountered a wind gust and lost control of the airplane. It impacted the runway, yawed sideways, and came to a stop with a collapsed landing gear and bent fuselage. The airplane's manufacturer suggests in its "Pilot's Operating Manual," that in crosswind or high-wind conditions, a higher than normal (90 knot) approach speed be used and the pilot should consider using no flaps.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-34 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Apr 2000 | Piper PA-34-200T | Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 2000 | Piper PA-34-200 | San Dimas, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Sep 2000 | Piper PA-34-200T | Meridianville, Alabama, United States | Harvey B. Wasserman | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 2000 | Piper PA-34-200T | Harbor Springs, Michigan, United States | Bear River Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 2000 | Piper PA-34 | Chacabuco, Argentina | Servicios Aereos Bahienses | Fatal | 11 |
| 28 Oct 2000 | Piper PA-34-200T | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug 2000 | Piper PA-30 | Davis, California, United States | Travis AFB Aeroclub | No injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 2000 | Cessna 150H | Corona, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Feb 2000 | Cessna 182L | Coulterville, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 31 May 2000 | Cessna 152 | Palm Springs, California, United States | The FLT School At Palm Springs | Fatal | 2 |
| 6 Nov 2000 | Cessna 340A | Selma, California, United States | Yecny Enterprises, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 Feb 2000 | Cessna 172N | Palm Springs, California, United States | Bermuda Dunes Air Service | Minor injuries | - |