N4760PPIPER PA-23-2502011-05-11 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

PIPER PA-23-250S/N: 27-301

Summary

On May 11, 2011, a Piper PA-23-250 (N4760P) was involved in an accident near Clayton, NY. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to obtain a proper touchdown point while landing with a gusting tailwind.

According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane was about to touchdown when a gust of wind caused the left wing to drop toward the ground. The wing impacted the ground, and skidded on the turf runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest and was engulfed in flames which resulted in substantial damage. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident site, the airplane landed approximately 150 feet prior to the turf runway threshold. Winds recorded at an airport 12 miles to the south, about the time of the accident, were from 030 degrees at 10 knots with gusts of 19 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane at the time of the accident.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA294. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4760P.

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA294
Location
Clayton, NY
Event ID
20110511X41907
Coordinates
44.186943, -76.076385
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to obtain a proper touchdown point while landing with a gusting tailwind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
27-301
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1960
Model / ICAO
PA-23-250PA27
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
RITCHIE STEVEN H
Address
PO BOX 128
Status
Deregistered
City
CLAYTON
State / Zip Code
NY 13624-0128
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane was about to touchdown when a gust of wind caused the left wing to drop toward the ground. The wing impacted the ground, and skidded on the turf runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest and was engulfed in flames which resulted in substantial damage. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident site, the airplane landed approximately 150 feet prior to the turf runway threshold. Winds recorded at an airport 12 miles to the south, about the time of the accident, were from 030 degrees at 10 knots with gusts of 19 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane at the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA294