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NTSB Report
September 13, 1990 · Piper PA34-200T · N3981F
Jackson, WY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Jackson, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA34-200T
Tail Number
N3981F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA188
AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SET UP FOR LANDING. THE GEAR WAS LOWERED AND A THREE GREE INDICATION WAS NOTED. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE WAS SLIGHTLY HIGH ON THE APPROACH AND POWER WAS REDUCED AND FULL FLAPS WERE EXTENDED. A CROSS WIND OF 10 KNOTS REQUIRED THE PILOT TO CRAB TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALLIGNMENT. AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT REDUCED ALL POWER AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE AND 'MILKED' IT BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE AND LANDED HARD.
Full Narrative
AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SET UP FOR LANDING. THE GEAR WAS LOWERED AND A THREE GREE INDICATION WAS NOTED. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE WAS SLIGHTLY HIGH ON THE APPROACH AND POWER WAS REDUCED AND FULL FLAPS WERE EXTENDED. A CROSS WIND OF 10 KNOTS REQUIRED THE PILOT TO CRAB TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALLIGNMENT. AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT REDUCED ALL POWER AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE AND 'MILKED' IT BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 MDT
Nearest AirportJackson Hole (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length6299 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA34-200T
Tail NumberN3981F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:49
Weather SourceWFAC