Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
September 26, 2022: Aircraft landed and nose gear collapsed.
K & R Aviation LLC
Date: 26-SEP-22
Time: 19:42:00Z
Regis#: N25WE
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA32
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew: 1 No Injuries
Pax: 2 No Injuries
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ABILENE
State: TEXAS
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hicks, Michael
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Timothy Hahn; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Axiom Capital
Location: Cape Carteret, North Carolina
Accident Number: GAA18CA281Date and Time: 05/14/2018, 1230 EDT
Registration: N25WE
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
According to the pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane, he set up for an extended final approach to the sandy turf runway. He waited until he cleared the trees and "then…dropped down to land." The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. The main and nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane slid about 300 ft before it came to a stop on the right side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower fuselage.
The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site reported that witnesses stated that the pilot landed the airplane hard on the sandy turf surface. However, the pilot stated that he did not. However, the pilot did state that he really had to bring the airplane in steep over the trees to get it on the runway.
Photographs provided by the operator showed vertical deformation of both wings at the main landing gear mount location.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's steep approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the landing gear during touchdown.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent rate - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Main landing gear - Capability exceeded (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll
Landing gear collapse
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 38, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/13/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 600 hours (Total, all aircraft), 250 hours (Total, this make and model), 425 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 44 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1.2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N25WE
Model/Series: PA 32R 300
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32R-8113039
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/15/2017, Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6025 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-K1G5D
Registered Owner: AXIOM CAPITAL SOLUTIONS LLC
Rated Power: 300
Operator: AXIOM CAPITAL SOLUTIONS LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KNJM, 22 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1657 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 146°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 230°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Burlington, NC (BUY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Cape Carteret, NC (60NC)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1115 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: STAR HILL GOLF CLUB (60NC)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 40 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 06
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2800 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around; Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.705278, -77.051111 (est)
Pilot said he didn't make a hard landing. Compared to what... a carrier landing? LOL
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