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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 7, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N44794

Grt Barrington, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grt Barrington, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N44794
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA005

THE PILOT HAD PLANNED TO STAY IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN AND PRACTICE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. DURING HIS FIRST APPROACH TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, BOUNCED ONCE, AND LANDED A SECOND TIME WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT'S TOTAL FLIGHT TIME FOR THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS CONSISTED OF 2 HOURS OF PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN ANOTHER MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent collapsed landing gear. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of total recent flying experience and recent experience in make and model.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 1994, at 1115 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, owned by Great Barrington Enterprise, Inc., and piloted by Henry S. Rossire, was substantially damaged while landing at the Great Barrington Airport, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he had planned to stay in the airport traffic pattern and practice takeoff and landings. This was his first approach to a landing. In the 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: "...Weather clear, wind calm, practicing landings and takeoffs on Runway 11...After reviewing accident site I have determined that the aircraft was in a too low position for the approach to Runway 11. The main gear struck the embankment and the right side [landing gear] was torn off the aircraft. The aircraft slid off the right side of the runway, stopped in the grass about 50 yards from the threshold..." In the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report, he stated: "...The pilot landed short of the runway asphalt by about 3 feet. There was a rut about 6 inches deep and 2 1/2 to 3 feet long that was caused by the right main wheel as it contacted the ground. There was slight evidence of the left main wheel touching the ground at about the same time. The airplane apparently bounced back into the air. The next indication of impact with the ground was located about 30 feet away on the runway asphalt...There was an indication of the main landing gear sliding for a short distance when it apparently collapsed enough to cause the airplane to be supported on the right wing tip...the airplane left the runway and continued to slide on the turf or grass along side of the runway..." The 80 year old pilot's total flight time for the previous 90 days consisted of 2 hours of pilot-in-command in another make and model airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest AirportGreat Barrington (0nm)
Runway11
Runway Length2579 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN44794
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 3 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data