Summary
On June 26, 2019, a Piper PA34 (N497SA) was involved in an incident near State College, PA. All 4 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and landing gear collapse.
The pilot of a multi-engine airplane reported that, while landing with gusting winds, the airplane bounced several times. During the last bounce, the nose and the right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered right, exited the runway and came to rest in the adjacent grass.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 24.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA435. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N497SA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and landing gear collapse.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of a multi-engine airplane reported that, while landing with gusting winds, the airplane bounced several times. During the last bounce, the nose and the right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered right, exited the runway and came to rest in the adjacent grass.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 24.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA435