Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-22-160 near Fruitland, UT — 2010-04-17

Final reportWPR10LA207
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Date
2010-04-17
Location
Fruitland, UT, USA
Airport
UT83
Aircraft
PIPER PA-22-160
Registration
N9019D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the windsock indicated light winds straight down the runway and he encountered some light headwind gusts on short final. During the flare, the airplane ballooned and he applied power to smooth the descent. The pilot stated that the landing was a full stall hard landing, which was the only type of landing he ever performed. The left main landing gear subsequently collapsed, the left wing dropped, and the airplane veered to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane exited the right side of the runway surface and impacted a drainage berm. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane and observed that the landing gear shock cord’s retainer lug fractured and separated. The cords released, which caused them to lose all of the tension required to perform their intended function. The structure had no indication of previous cracking or fatigue, and there were 45-degree shear lips around the entire circumference of the fracture surface indicative of an overload condition.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a go-around after ballooning during landing flare.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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