Oakland, MD, USA
N348TF
PIPER PA-28-181
According to the pilot, he was established on final approach, with wind reported from 310 degrees at 5 knots. He reduced the power to maintain a 500 foot-per-minute (fpm) descent rate. As the airplane slowed to 110 knots, the pilot lowered one notch of flaps. He realized that he was high on the approach, so he lowered the nose and increased the descent rate to 700 fpm. He then lowered two more notches of flaps, and the airplane continued to slow down. Over the runway threshold, the pilot began to flare and heard the stall warning horn. He misjudged his height above the runway and did not add power in the flare as the stall warning continued. He flared about 15 feet above the runway, the airplane landed hard, and the initial touchdown forced the main gears up through the wings. The airplane then bounced twice and skidded off the left side of the runway and down an embankment; the left wing and the landing gear separated during the event. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
According to the pilot, he was established on final approach to runway 27, with winds reported from 310 degrees true at 5 knots. He reduced power to maintain a 500 fpm descent rate. As the airplane slowed to 110 knots, the pilot lowered one notch of flaps. He realized he was high on approach, so he lowered the nose and increased the descent rate to 700 fpm. He then lowered two more notches of flaps, and the airplane continued to slow down. Over the runway threshold, the pilot began to flare and heard the stall warning horn. He misjudged his height above the runway and did not add power in the flare as the stall warning continued. He flared about 15 feet above the runway, the airplane landed hard, and the initial touchdown "...forced the main gears up through the wings..." The airplane then bounced twice and skidded off the left side of the runway and down an embankment. An FAA inspector reported that the left wing and the landing gear broke off during the event. The pilot reported that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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