Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-44-180 near Billings, MT — 2013-07-30

Final reportWPR13LA349
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Date
2013-07-30
Location
Billings, MT, USA
Airport
BIL
Aircraft
PIPER PA-44-180
Registration
N5367Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilots’ inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the left main landing gear.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and commercial pilot reported that they were conducting a training flight and that, after performing numerous maneuvers in the local practice area, they returned to the airport to perform practice landings in various simulated situations. After an uneventful takeoff and landing, they set up for a practice short-field landing. Following the landing flare, the airplane touched down on the runway surface, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The propellers contacted the runway, and the airplane skidded, which resulted in damage to the wing spar. Examinations revealed that the left main landing gear was fractured through the lower end of the strut tube, which was bent. The fracture surfaces of the strut tube and fork were consistent with an overstress event. Given the damage to the airplane, it is likely that the left main landing gear collapsed due to a hard landing and/or an excessive side load during the landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after confirming gear position.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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