North American SNJ-5 N3246G

Summary

On 23 October 2001 at about 21:49 local time, a North American SNJ-5 registered N3246G was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 October 2001 at 21:49

Classification

Accident

Location

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Falcon Fld (FFZ)

Coordinates

33.4500, -111.7167

Aircraft

North American SNJ-5

Registration

N3246G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mesa → Mesa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA014

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for an existing crosswind condition, and failure to maintain directional control on the landing rollout.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On the landing rollout the airplane veered off to the right of the runway and impacted a runway distance marker. This was a proficiency flight. The pilot noted no control problems with the airplane while he was conducting maneuvers. After he was cleared to land, the local controller issued winds from 290 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot decided to make the approach at a higher airspeed in case he encountered any problems with the landing due to the exisitng crosswind. Prior to touchdown the pilot made a crosswind correction with right aileron to aid in maintaining directional control and runway alignment. After touchdown he applied full right aileron and noted that the control stick was in the full aft position. On the landing rollout he increased left rudder input because the airplane had started to move towards the right of the runway. He applied full left rudder; however, the turn continued to increase. He utilized the left brake to maneuver around an obstruction on the runway. He felt that a ground loop was imminent, released the brakes, and departed the runway. The airplane rudder and brake systems were inspected with no discrepancies noted. Wind direction and velocity issued as a result of the accident were from 290 degrees at 15 knots. The crosswind limitation for the accident airplane was 15 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.