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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 15, 1996 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6554P

Hillsboro, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N6554P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA125

The pilot reported that during an approach to land, he initiated his flare over a river. He reported the aircraft 'encountered a severe downdraft' and that 'elevator back pressure failed to stop (the) rapid descent.' The accompanying flight instructor reported the pilot's approach angle 'was a little bit high' and that he observed the pilot 'slamming back on the control wheel just before touchdown.' The aircraft's right main landing gear impacted rapidly upsloping terrain just short of the runway threshold; both main gear collapsed shortly thereafter. The aircraft then skidded down the runway approximately 750 feet on the nose wheel and collapsed main gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point for landing. A factor relating to the accident was: upsloping terrain short of the threshold.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 1996, approximately 1630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6554P, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, accompanied by a flight instructor, was substantially damaged during an undershoot and subsequent main landing gear collapse while landing at the Stark's Twin Oaks airstrip, Hillsboro, Oregon. Both occupants were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was instructional (a biannual flight review), was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the McMinnville airport, McMinnville, Oregon, shortly before the accident. The pilot reported that he "started (his) flare over (the) river, encountered (a) severe downdraft" and that "elevator back pressure failed to stop (the) rapid descent." The aircraft's right main landing gear impacted rapidly upsloping terrain just short of the threshold of runway 02. Both main gear then collapsed and the aircraft skidded down the runway approximately 750 feet on the nose wheel and collapsed main gear. The flight instructor was interviewed by an FAA inspector and reported that during the approach "the approach angle was little bit high" and that he observed the pilot "slamming back on the control wheel just before touchdown and during the flare."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest AirportStark'S Twin Oaks Airpark (0nm)
Runway2
Runway Length2465 ft
Runway Width25 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN6554P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 13 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data