Wilmington, DE, USA
N251AS
Piper PA-34-200T
While on final approach for landing on runway 27 at his destination airport, the pilot of a PA-34-200T was advised by the control tower of "18 mph [wind] gusts out of 270" degrees. After touchdown the airplane rolled for "several yards," then "ballooned up and came down," at which time, the windshield broke. The airplane bounced once again, touched down, and rolled out, completing the landing. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was substantially damaged.
The pilot of the PA-34-200T stated that the while on final approach for landing on runway 27 at his destination airport, he was advised by the control tower of "18 mph [wind] gusts out of 270" degrees. After touchdown the airplane rolled for "several yards," then "ballooned up and came down," at which time, the windshield broke. The airplane bounced once again, touched down, and rolled out, completing the landing. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear "A-frame" assembly had impacted the base of the windshield after tearing through the fuselage structure located above the nose landing gear wheel well. Further examination revealed that the right propeller was also damaged and the ends of the blades had been bent aft. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions were discovered.
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor to the accident was the wind gust.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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