Piper PA-46-350P N103TK

Summary

On 1 September 2003 at about 03:00 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P registered N103TK, operated by Charles I Robins, was involved in an accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 2003 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT)

Coordinates

36.2833, -115.1833

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-350P

Registration

N103TK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Charles I Robins

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Las Vegas → North Las Vegas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX03LA273

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during approach for the airplane's flight configuration, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine airplane impacted terrain short of the approach end of the runway during a night visual approach. According to the pilot on final approach, while conducting the final check list, he noted that the airplane was about 300-400 feet above the ground, and on the glide slope "with PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights." The airspeed was 85 knots with the landing gear extended. He also said he believes he had put in 10-degrees of flaps. The pilot stated that the airplane started to "pancake down," and he did not know why the airspeed had bled off. When he realized what was happening he applied full power and the engine surged, but the airplane was too close to the ground and the airplane landed in the desert. A witness located near the approach end of the runway observed the airplane's wings rocking back and forth on final approach, and then it dropped out of the sky. He stated that the engine was not making unusual sounds during the approach. According to the airplane manufacturer's approved flight manual, landings can be made with any flap settings. The manual also indicated that for landing, a normal approach speed between 80 - 85 knots should be flown with full flaps extended, and power as required to maintain approach angle. For a flaps up condition, the approach speed should be 95 knots. Post accident examination found the flaps in the retracted position with the cockpit selector handle in the up position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.