Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32-301 near Valdosta, GA — 2015-02-02

Final reportERA15CA117
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Date
2015-02-02
Location
Valdosta, GA, USA
Airport
VLD
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32-301
Registration
N42993
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for gusty wind conditions during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose landing gear collapse.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane in turbulent conditions with gusting wind. He stated that during the landing flare, the airplane encountered an updraft, followed immediately by a downdraft. The airplane subsequently impacted the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of archived weather information for the accident airport about the time of the accident revealed variable wind at 9 knots with gusts to 19 knots.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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