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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 12, 2011 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2838D

Oxford, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oxford, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2838D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA187

According to the student pilot, he was practicing crosswind landings with his certified flight instructor (CFI) when they planned to perform a full stop landing on runway 36. The airplane touched down hard in a level attitude and the CFI moved his hand to the throttle to add engine power but was too late. After impacting the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. After reviewing a security video of the accident, the airport manager reported that the airplane did not flare prior to landing. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The reported wind conditions at an the airport around the time of the accident were variable from 240 degrees to 310 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 17 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's inadequate landing flare and the certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

According to the student pilot, he was practicing crosswind landings with his flight instructor when they planned to perform a full stop landing on runway 36. Both pilots stated that they maintained 70 knots on final approach, and the airplane landed "flat." The flight instructor stated that he moved his hand to the throttle to add power but it was too late. After impacting the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. After reviewing a security video of the accident, the airport manager reported that the airplane did not flare prior to landing. During a subsequent examination of the wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no anomalies of the airplane. The winds reported at an the airport around the time of the accident were variable from 240 degrees to 310 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 17 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 EST
Nearest AirportWaterbury-Oxford Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length5800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2838D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 78 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 30 C
Altimeter29.80 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data