# NTSB ATL95LA015: Piper PA-601P, N22ML, Luray, SC, November 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1994, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Luray, SC
- Location: 32.8143° N, 81.2401° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Luray, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8143&lon=-81.2401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Overrun, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND BROKE OFF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. AS THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THREE DEEP IMPRESSIONS IN THE GROUND WHERE THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. THE FRACTURE FACE OF THE BROKEN LEFT GEAR ASSEMBLY EXHIBITED AN OVERLOAD FAILURE MODE.

## Factual narrative

On November 17,1994, at 1115 eastern standard time, a Piper    PA-601P, N22ML, landed hard and failed the left main landing gear at Groton Plantation Airport in Luray, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with a visual flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Statesboro, Georgia, at 1100 hours.

An examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane touched down within the first third of the sod runway. There were three deep landing gear impressions in the sod runway where the airplane touched down. Debris from the separated left main landing gear was scattered along the runway surface. The airplane skidded 465 feet and came to rest off the left side of the runway.

The examination of the broken landing gear assembly fracture face, revealed overload damage. The pilot did not report a problem with the airplane before the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22ML-1997-03-28), registration cancelled 1997-03-28, S/N 61P0539229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 601P-0539
- Airframe hours: 2546
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AA1A5 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four Captains Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1993, 69 hours before
- Departed: TBR, STATESBORO, GA
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Groton Plantation, runway 34, 5,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,417 total, 311 in this make and model, 1,127 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 80 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19941117038379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941117038379A), Nov 17, 1994: Piper PA60601P, Luray, SC, Substantial damage. Hard landing on sod runway collapsed left main landing gear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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