Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was cleared to land on runway 26. The recorded surface wind at the airport around the time of the accident was from 330 to 340 degrees at 14 to 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots; a peak wind gust from 350 degrees at 26 knots was recorded about 7 minutes after the accident. The pilot said that he landed on the left main gear with the right main intermittently touching the ground and tried to lower the right wing to improve wheel-to-runway contact but was unsuccessful because of a wind gust. The airplane swerved off the left side of the runway onto the soft grass area, where the airplane’s main landing gear collapsed, and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA266 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 2, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-60-602P
- N-number
- N6902L
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.