Piper PA-24-180 N7256P

Summary

On 28 April 1996 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper PA-24-180 registered N7256P was involved in an accident near Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 April 1996 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

32.3991, -104.2302

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-180

Registration

N7256P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Amarillo → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA187

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the sudden windshift and/or windshear.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the completion of a cross-country flight, while on a left downwind for landing on runway 03, the pilot encountered a wind shift and the aircraft started to descend. Despite the application of go-around procedures, the aircraft continued descending. The pilot executed a forced landing in a open area, but the aircraft was damaged. The wind was reported to be from 340 degrees at 8 knots, but the pilot said the wind was gusting from the north to 15 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.