Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-34-200T near Shelter Island, NY — 2012-01-02

Final reportERA12LA132
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Date
2012-01-02
Location
Shelter Island, NY, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-34-200T
Registration
N8282P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A hard landing, which resulted in a failure of the right main and collapse of the left main landing gear.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after crossing over trees at the runway threshold, the airplane experienced a downdraft and decay in airspeed. The airplane touched down hard and bounced, and the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. Detailed examination of the landing gear revealed that the retraction arm fractured at its bolt connection, which allowed the oleo strut to rotate, where it sheared at the wheel axle assembly. None of the fracture surfaces exhibited evidence of any preexisting cracks or signatures of fatigue.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a go-around after experiencing downdraft.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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