N55697

On October 25, 1998, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N55697, was substantially damaged while landing at the Oneonta Municipal Airport (N66), Oneonta, New York. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Danbury Municipal Airport, Danbury, Connecticut, about 1430, destined for N66. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he was landing on runway 24, with a 5 to 10 knot crosswind from the north. The pilot further stated:

"...On the ensuing flare which appeared to be in a normal flaring attitude and on first impact with the ground, the plane bounced and porpoised down the runway. A total of 3 ground impacts occurred prior to slowing to a complete stop...."

In a written statement, a witness said he saw the airplane hit the runway and bounce approximately 15 feet in the air. The airplane then landed "violently" and rolled 500 feet to a stop.

Examination of the wreckage by an Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The nose gear strut had been driven up through the fuselage, and extended 6 to 8 inches above the fuselage in the vicinity of the windshield.

The pilot reported 522 hours of total flight experience. He was issued a multiengine land airplane rating on October 18, 1998. The pilot possessed 70 total flight hours in multiengine airplanes, all in the make and model of the accident airplane, of which 4 hours were logged as pilot-in-command.

Winds reported at an airport about 45 miles south-southwest of the accident site, were from 330 degrees at 6 knots. A pilot who landed 10 minutes before the accident stated the winds were from 300-310 degrees at 5-8 knots.