Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA10CA265

Carrollton, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N9231P

PIPER PA-24-260B

Analysis

The pilot had just purchased a share in the airplane and was receiving a checkout with a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. While practicing a landing with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed about 90 feet short of the runway pavement. As the airplane proceeded forward, the nosewheel struck the runway edge, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot initiated a go-around and, on the second landing attempt and with no nosewheel, the airplane skidded to a stop, substantially damaging the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the pilot the firewall damage was likely sustained as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. The pilot also noted that the majority of his flight experience has been in high-wing aircraft, where it is easier to see the main gear and runway.

Factual Information

The pilot had just purchased a one-third share in the airplane, and was receiving a "checkout" with a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. While practicing a landing on runway 35 with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed 88 feet short of the runway pavement. As the airplane proceeded forward, the nose wheel struck the runway edge, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot initiated a go-around and on the second landing attempt, with no nose wheel, the airplane skidded to a stop, substantially damaging the engine firewall. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the pilot, "it is likely; the damage to the aircraft was sustained during the simulated engine out landing as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. A decision to execute our go around once we knew our simulated engine out landing was assured would have been advisable. Also, aiming for a landing point further down the runway as opposed to the end of the runway would have prevented this accident. Although I have logged a considerable amount of flying hours, the greatest majority of it has been in a Cessna 210 and other high wing aircraft where it is visually easy to see the main gear and runway. My lack of low wing aircraft time and visual landing perspective in these aircraft are most likely a factor as well."

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper touchdown point during landing. Contributing to the accident was the certificated flight instructor's lack of remedial action.

 

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