The Pilot Stated That She “Had A Little Wind Shear (-15 Knots)”

Location: Monongahela, PA Accident Number: ERA22LA272
Date & Time: June 19, 2022, 13:04 Local Registration: N1996G
Aircraft: Cessna 414 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation – Personal

On June 19, 2022, at 1304 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 414, N1996G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monongahela, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that the preflight, run-up, taxi, and en route portion of the flight revealed no anomalies with the performance and handling of the airplane. On final approach for runway 26, at Rostraver Airport, the pilot stated that she “had a little wind shear (-15 knots).” She adjusted her airspeed on final approach to Vref plus 10 knots, so the wind shear was “no issue.” The pilot performed the landing flare 500 feet beyond the landing threshold. A wind gust “took” the airplane up and it touched down about 1,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 4,002 ft-long runway.

Upon touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes but “nothing happened,” despite hard application. According to the pilot, “Power was off, flaps up, so, I pull the mixtures, still on the brakes, fuel off, and hope I’ll be slow to make the last exit.” The pilot stated that she attempted to “ground loop” the airplane at the departure end of the runway without success, and ultimately guided the airplane to the left, avoiding lights and other infrastructure, before the airplane transitioned the grass apron, descended an embankment, and came to rest upright with substantial damage to the nose and right wing.

The pilot reported 6,050 total hours of flight experience, of which 145 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on June 10, 2022, at 6,475.6 total aircraft hours.

A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector responded to the scene, but could not safely examine the airplane due to its condition and location. The examination was postponed until the airplane could be moved to a secure location.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov