KWETHLUK, AK, USA
N38393
PIPER PA-32
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING ON A 1700' AIRSTRIP THAT HE HAD ROUTINELY USED. HE SAID HE LANDED SLIGHTLY SHORT & BELOW THE RUNWAY GRADE, STRIKING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ON THE LIP OF THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FAILED & SEPARATED FROM THE WING, DAMAGING THE WING SPAR. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE APPROACH TO LANDING DUE TO SUNGLARE. ON A SUBSEQUENT APPLICATION FOR MED CERT, DATED 3/28/90, THE PLT RPRTD 8000 HRS OF FLT TIME.
THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY DRG THE APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN A PREMATURE TOUCHDOWN AND FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, WHEN IT HIT THE RUNWAY LIP. THE SUNGLARE AND LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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