N276

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-32R-300S/N: 32R-7680095

Accident Details

Date
Monday, December 1, 2008
NTSB Number
ERA09CA217
Location
Middletown, DE
Event ID
20090326X64745
Coordinates
39.519165, -75.720832
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N276
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32R-7680095
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1976
Model / ICAO
PA-32R-300P32R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
RBF MANAGEMENT CO
Address
6967 COOKES HOPE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
EASTON
State / Zip Code
MD 21601
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane was on short final approach for landing on runway 35 when he experienced a "sudden loss of airspeed and rapid increase in descent rate that was not altered by the application of power." The airplane landed hard on the runway, all three landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway. The wing spar and engine firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot further stated that he was flying from the right seat, which made referencing the instruments more difficult, and he "encountered windshear." The winds at an airport located 10 miles northeast of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, that were recorded as 280 degrees at 17 knots, with gusts to 34 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA217