Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-34-200T near Lincoln Park, NJ — 2009-08-02

Final reportERA09CA437
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Date
2009-08-02
Location
Lincoln Park, NJ, USA
Airport
N07
Aircraft
PIPER PA-34-200T
Registration
N551N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that because the runway was wet, he was "determined to touch down as close to the approach end as possible." On landing, the airplane bounced, and the nose and main landing gear subsequently collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the runway, approximately 1,700 feet beyond the landing threshold, and sustained substantial damage. An airport surveillance video camera captured the accident sequence. Review of the video indicated that the airplane first contacted the runway just beyond the displaced threshold, in a flat attitude, with no flare or float. The airplane bounced and re-contacted the runway on its nose landing gear, which then collapsed. This was followed by a series of rapid, large-amplitude pitch oscillations, and collapse of the main gear.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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