Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC00LA207

NORWOOD, MA, USA

Aircraft #1

N2176T

Piper PA-28-180

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane bounced after initial touchdown, and he added power to smooth the second touchdown. The airplane then struck the runway in a nose low attitude and porpoised. The airplane came to rest on the runway, with the nose landing gear driven into the lower fuselage. The pilot's total flight experience was 92 hours. He had received his private pilot certificate 7 months prior to the accident.

Factual Information

On July 16, 2000, about 1820 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-28-180, N2176T, was substantially damaged while landing at Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he departed OWD earlier in the day and flew to Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he conducted two landings, and then flew toward Cape Cod, Massachusetts. However, due to deteriorating weather, he elected to return to OWD. The weather conditions at OWD were clear, with the wind from 050 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot felt that his traffic pattern was good, and he used 85 mph on final approach for runway 10. He further stated: "...After crossing the threshold for RW 10, touchdown occurred on both main tires. After touchdown the aircraft bounced and slight power was applied to smooth 2nd touchdown. Aircraft entered a 'nose-down' attitude and 'porpoising' occurred. Nosegear struck the runway and was forced up into the engine cowling. Airplane came to a stop on the runway." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the airplane and reported the nose landing gear collapsed rearward and penetrated the fuselage. In addition the propeller blades were bent rearward. According to FAA records, the pilot received his private pilot certificate on December 8, 1999. The pilot reported that he was part owner in the airplane and they had purchased the airplane in January 2000. The pilot reported his total flight experience as 92 hours, with 36 hours in make and model. He had flown 24 hours in the preceding 90 days.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's improper bounced landing recovery. A factor was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports