# NTSB CEN09LA173: Piper PA-31T, N171AF, Pueblo, CO, February 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 2009, 16:44 local (23:44 UTC) - Place: Pueblo, CO - Coordinates: 38.289165, -104.496391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2892&lon=-104.4964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 73384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73384/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7103124), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103124), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-31T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103124), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that while en route, he obtained Automatic Terminal Information Alpha that reported moderate to strong westerly and gusting winds. A Low-Level Wind Shear advisory was also in effect. He maneuvered the airplane for an extended right base to runway 26R and configured the airplane for landing. Due to the reported winds and advisory, he elected to approach 5 to 10 knots faster, or approximately 135 to 140 knots indicated airspeed. The approach and descent were normal, and he made several power changes to maintain airspeed and rates of descent consistent with the reported wind conditions. As he flared for landing, he thought that he saw something on the runway. There was a sudden loss of lift, and he adjusted the pitch slightly up to compensate. The touchdown was "unusually hard" and the airplane bounced. The airplane then became hard to control in the pitch and yaw axes, porpoising "violently" 4 or 5 times before he was able to keep it on the ground and exit the runway. Postaccident inspection revealed that the right wing was buckled, some engine mounts were broken, the cowling was wrinkled, and the engine was drooping from its mounts. Airport personnel drove the length of the runway but found no debris. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 2009 at 1644 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-31T, N171AF, registered to and operated by Aero Oro LLC and piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when the right propeller struck the runway and the airplane began porpoising before landing hard at Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), Pueblo, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The positioning flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The positioning flight originated at Colorado Springs, Colorado, approximately 1620, and was en route to PUB. The pilot said that while en route, he obtained ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information) Information Alpha that reported moderate to strong westerly and gusty winds. A Low Level Wind Sheer (LLWS) Advisory was also in effect. He maneuvered the airplane for an extended right base to runway 26R, and configured the airplane for landing. Due to the reported winds and advisory, he elected to approach 5 to 10 knots faster, or approximately 135 to 140 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed). The approach and decent were "normal," and he made several power changes to maintain airspeed and rates of decent consistent with the reported wind conditions. As he flared for landing, he thought he saw something on the runway. There was a sudden loss of lift, and he adjusted the pitch slightly up to compensate. The touchdown was "unusually hard" and the airplane bounced. The airplane then became hard to control in the pitch and yaw axes, porpoising "violently" 4 or 5 times before he was able to keep it on the ground and exit the runway. Post-accident inspection revealed the right wing was buckled, some engine mounts were broken, the cowling was wrinkled, and the engine was drooping from its mounts. Airport personnel drove the length of the runway but found no debris. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171AF-2009-06-15), registration cancelled 2009-06-15, S/N 31T-7920089, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T - Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31T-7920089 - Airframe hours: 6249 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Oro LLC - Registered owner: Aero Oro LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 2008, 100 hours before - Departed: COS, Colo. Springs, CO - Destination: PUB, Pueblo, CO - Airport: PUB, Pueblo Memorial, runway 26R, 10,496 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight engineer, military, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 14,387 total, 105 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 17 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: PUB ## 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 20090223001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090223001479A), Feb 23, 2009: Piper PA31T, Pueblo, CO, Substantial damage. On February 23, 2009 at approximately 1620 mountain standard time a twin turboprop PA-31T cheyenne, N171AF made a hard landing and the right propeller struck… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.