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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

November 3, 1997 · Piper PA-28-151 · N4502X

Clarksville, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Clarksville, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N4502X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA032

The pilot was faced with a 15 knot, occasionally gusting to 25 knots, crosswind to the single runway 1/19. The pilot's initial attempt to land runway 19 was aborted in favor of runway 1. Her approach to runway 1 resulted in a touchdown close to midfield in a nose down attitude that caused the nose wheel and propeller blade to strike the runway before the main wheels. The airplane came to rest within 50 to 75 feet of runway travel, bending a propeller blade, collapsing the nose landing gear and shedding the left main landing gear in the process.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare and touchdown.

Full Narrative

On November 3, 1997, about 1300 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N4502X, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR 91 personal flight experienced a hard landing at Steep Head Farm Airstrip, Clarksville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was not injured, and the private-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from Marianna, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that about 1000, she and her passenger departed Steep Head Farm Airstrip, flew to Marianna Municipal Airport where they each completed two or three touch-and-go landings to runway 26, and flew a circuituitous route back to Clarksville. Upon their return to Clarksville, the pilot attempted a landing to runway 19, but abandoned the approach and elected to land runway 01. The airplane landed hard halfway down the runway. On touchdown the nose gear collapsed, one propeller blade contacted the runway, the left main gear separated, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Total landing rollout was estimated to be 50 to 75 feet. The pilot said the throttle and mixture control stuck. According to FAA records, an A&P mechanic inspected the airplane after the accident and stated the throttle and mixture control worked free and clear for their full range of travel. The recorded winds at Tallahassee at 1052 were 260 degrees, 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The recorded winds at Tallahassee at 1252 were 270 degrees, 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CST
Nearest AirportSteep Head Farm (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width140 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN4502X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data