PIPER PA 32R
Cape Carteret, NC — May 14, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 14, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA281 |
| Event ID | 20180514X30342 |
| Location | Cape Carteret, NC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.70528, -77.05111 |
| Airport | STAR HILL GOLF CLUB |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA 32R |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s steep approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the landing gear during touchdown.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, he set up for an extended final approach to the sandy turf runway. He waited until he cleared the trees, "then I dropped down to land." The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. The main and nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane slid about 300ft before it came to a stop on the right side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the lower fuselage.
The Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that witnesses had stated that the pilot landed hard on the sandy turf surface. However, the pilot stated that he did not. Nevertheless, the pilot did state that he really had to bring it in steep over the trees to get the airplane on the runway.
Photographs provided by the operator showed vertical deformation of both wings at the main landing gear mount location.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.