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NTSB Report

August 28, 2018 · Piper PA46 350P · N178DB

Hartford, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Hartford, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA46 350P (2002)
Tail Number
N178DB
Operator
Prm Enterprises
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA529

The pilot reported that, during the approach, the tower controller instructed him to stay "high and close." Once he turned to final, he reduced the power, and the airplane began rapidly descending. He added that he applied some power and back pressure to arrest the descent rate as he began to flare, but the airplane landed hard and faster than normal. As the nose landing gear touched down, he applied reverse thrust and braked aggressively. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that a nose landing gear actuator bolt had sheared off. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was his failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in a hard landing and higher-than-normal ground speed upon touchdown.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach, the control tower instructed him to stay "high and close". Once he turned final, he reduced the power and the airplane began a rapid descent. He added that, he applied some power and back pressure to arrest the descent rate as he began to flare, but the airplane landed hard and faster than normal. As the nose landing gear touched down, he applied reverse thrust and braked aggressively, subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. The pilot reported that a post-accident examination revealed that a landing gear actuator bolt, in the nose landing gear, had sheared. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the incident was his failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in a combination of a hard landing and higher than normal ground speed upon touchdown exacerbated by the force applied as he aggressively applied the brakes and reverse thrust.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EDT
Nearest AirportHartford-Brainard (0nm NE)
Runway20
Runway Length4417 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA46 350P
Tail NumberN178DB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPrm Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-35 · Turboprop · 560
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time13:31
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data