Summary
On March 12, 2013, a Piper PA-24-400 (N8533P) was involved in an accident near Minden, NV. 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 improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a loss of directional control.
The pilot reported that during the landing, he crossed the threshold at 85 to 90 knots with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot utilized the electric trim as the airplane floated down the runway about 3 to 4 feet above the surface. The airplane subsequently touched down hard and it bounced three times, striking the propeller on the runway each time. The nose gear was damaged and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control with braking action and rudder control. The airplane departed the side of the runway collapsing the landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s belly revealed that five bulkheads from the firewall aft were bent.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA148. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8533P.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a loss of directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing, he crossed the threshold at 85 to 90 knots with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot utilized the electric trim as the airplane floated down the runway about 3 to 4 feet above the surface. The airplane subsequently touched down hard and it bounced three times, striking the propeller on the runway each time. The nose gear was damaged and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control with braking action and rudder control. The airplane departed the side of the runway collapsing the landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s belly revealed that five bulkheads from the firewall aft were bent.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA148