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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 21, 2004 · Piper PA-34-220T · N497MA

Willoughby, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Willoughby, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N497MA
Operator
Rona W Mitrovich
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04CA110

The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 23, a 5,028-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane encountered moderate rain and gusty winds as it descended on final approach. The pilot said that as the airplane approached the runway, she did not add enough engine power in an adequate time frame to prevent a hard landing. The airplane bounced and came to rest on the runway. Subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the wing spar, fuselage, both engines, and propellers. A weather observation taken at an airport located about 16 miles southwest of the accident site included winds from 190 degrees at 16 knots, with 24 knot gusts, and a visibility of 8 statue miles with thunderstorm activity.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions associated with thunderstorm activity.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 2004, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N497MA, was substantially damaged while landing at the Lost Nation Municipal Airport (LNN), Willoughby, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Spartanburg, South Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that she canceled her IFR flight plan, and entered the traffic pattern for runway 23, a 5,028-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane encountered moderate rain and gusty winds as it descended on final approach. The pilot further stated that as the airplane approached the runway, she did not add enough engine power in an adequate time frame to prevent a hard landing. The airplane bounced and came to rest on the runway. Subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the wing spar, fuselage, both engines, and propellers. The pilot reported 1,788 hours of total flight experience, which included 416 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A weather observation taken at an airport located about 16 miles southwest of LNN, included: winds from 190 degrees at 16 knots, with 24 knot gusts, and a visibility of 8 statue miles with thunderstorm activity.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest AirportWilloughby Lost Nation Muni (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length5028 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN497MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRona W Mitrovich
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-RBIB · Reciprocating · 220 | Continental · LTSIO-360-RBI · Reciprocating · 220
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 16 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time21:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data