Summary
On October 12, 1994, a Piper PA-34-220T (N8154C) was involved in an incident near Palo Alto, CA. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique.
On October 12, 1994, at 1502 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8154C, porpoised following a bounced landing recovery and collapsed the nose gear at Palo Alto, California. The aircraft was operated by the West Valley Flying Club of Palo Alto, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight had originated at Sedona, Arizona, on the day of the accident at 1141 mountain standard time.
The aircraft was landing on runway 30 with a gusty left crosswind condition.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX95LA014. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8154C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 12, 1994, at 1502 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8154C, porpoised following a bounced landing recovery and collapsed the nose gear at Palo Alto, California. The aircraft was operated by the West Valley Flying Club of Palo Alto, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight had originated at Sedona, Arizona, on the day of the accident at 1141 mountain standard time.
The aircraft was landing on runway 30 with a gusty left crosswind condition. The pilot said he reduced power too rapidly in the landing flare due to his preoccupation with the crosswind and the aircraft landed hard on the main gear and bounced. The pilot reported that in the bounce recovery he did not use enough back pressure on the elevator control and the aircraft porpoised. After several oscillations, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA014