Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDE PATH DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING A MOVING VEHICLE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On Sunday, June 27, 1993, at about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 30, N7563Y, piloted by William Dixon, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, struck the top of truck trailer while on final approach to Freeway Airport, Mitchellville, Maryland. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot indicated that he was on final approach to the runway, flying the visual glideslope indicator. As the airplane crossed a road, the right main gear of the airplane struck a truck trailer. The pilot did not think there was much damage until landing, when the right wing settled to the runway. The airplane slid to a stop on the runway.
Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed the right main gear had sheared off and that the right wing and propeller were damaged.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC93LA132