Hard Landing: Piper PA 46-350P, N178DB; accident occurred August 28, 2018 at Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD), Connecticut

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Bradley, Connecticut

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N178DB

Location:  Hartford, CT
Accident Number: GAA18CA529
Date & Time: 08/28/2018, 0930 EDT
Registration: N178DB
Aircraft: Piper PA46
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the approach, the tower controller instructed him to stay "high and close." Once he turned to final, he reduced the power, and the airplane began rapidly descending. He added that he applied some power and back pressure to arrest the descent rate as he began to flare, but the airplane landed hard and faster than normal. As the nose landing gear touched down, he applied reverse thrust and braked aggressively. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount.

The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that a nose landing gear actuator bolt had sheared off.

The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was his failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in a hard landing and higher-than-normal ground speed upon touchdown.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's unstabilized approach and hard landing, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse. 

Findings

Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Hard landing (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing gear collapse 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/30/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/11/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3407 hours (Total, all aircraft), 540 hours (Total, this make and model), 3282 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 27 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N178DB
Model/Series: PA46 350P
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 4636333
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/11/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4340 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 1896 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-35
Registered Owner: Prm Enterprises Inc
Rated Power: 560 hp
Operator: Prm Enterprises Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHFD, 19 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1331 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 230°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 8 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Manchester, NH (MHT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Hartford, CT (HFD)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0845 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: HARTFORD-BRAINARD (HFD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 18 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4417 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.737500, -72.648611 (est)