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December 13, 2006 · Piper PA-31T1 · N20DL

Waterloo, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Waterloo, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T1
Tail Number
N20DL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07LA037

The airplane made a hard landing during a visual approach. The pilot reported he applied engine power to soften the landing and the left engine "spooled up faster" than the right engine, which veered the airplane to the right. The pilot then reduced engine power again in order "to maintain control of the airplane." He stated that the airplane was still not aligned with the runway when it impacted the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

The go-around not performed and the improper flare by the pilot during landing.

Full Narrative

On December 13, 2006, at 0800 central standard time, a Piper PA-31T1, N20DL, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a hard landing on runway 18 (6,002 feet by 129 feet, asphalt) at Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO), Waterloo, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The commercial pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The flight departed from Ankeny Regional Airport, Ankeny, Iowa, at 0730 and was en route to ALO. The pilot reported that he was vectored by air traffic control for the VOR 18 approach at ALO. He was able to make a visual approach to the runway after seeing it approximately two to three miles from the approach end of the runway. When the airplane neared the runway, the pilot applied landing flaps and reduced the engine power. During the flare, he applied engine power to soften the landing. The left engine "spooled up faster" than the right engine, which veered the airplane to the right. The pilot then reduced engine power again in order "to maintain control of the airplane." He stated that the airplane was still not aligned with the runway when it impacted the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CST
Nearest AirportWaterloo Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T1
Tail NumberN20DL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PTGA-11 · Turboprop · 500 | Pratt & Whitney Canada · PTGA-11 · Turboprop · 500
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 21 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time14:04
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data