# NTSB CHI07LA037: Piper PA-31T1, N20DL, Waterloo, IA, December 13, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 2006, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Waterloo, IA
- Coordinates: 42.556667, -92.400001
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5567&lon=-92.4000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA037

## Probable cause

The go-around not performed and the improper flare by the pilot during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane made a hard landing during a visual approach.  The pilot reported he applied engine power to soften the landing and the left engine "spooled up faster" than the right engine, which veered the airplane to the right. The pilot then reduced engine power again in order "to maintain control of the airplane."   He stated that the airplane was still not aligned with the runway when it impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On December 13, 2006, at 0800 central standard time, a Piper PA-31T1, N20DL, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a hard landing on runway 18 (6,002 feet by 129 feet, asphalt) at Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO), Waterloo, Iowa.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan.  The commercial pilot and two passengers were uninjured.  The flight departed from Ankeny Regional Airport, Ankeny, Iowa, at 0730 and was en route to ALO.

The pilot reported that he was vectored by air traffic control for the VOR 18 approach at ALO. He was able to make a visual approach to the runway after seeing it approximately two to three miles from the approach end of the runway. When the airplane neared the runway, the pilot applied landing flaps and reduced the engine power. During the flare, he applied engine power to soften the landing. The left engine "spooled up faster" than the right engine, which veered the airplane to the right. The pilot then reduced engine power again in order "to maintain control of the airplane." He stated that the airplane was still not aligned with the runway when it impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20DL-2007-06-26), registration cancelled 2007-06-26, S/N 31T-8004045, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-31T1
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T1](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t1) (registry code 7103126) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-8004045
- Airframe hours: 7112
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PTGA-11 500 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney Canada PTGA-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Iowa Energy Cooperative
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 1, 2006
- Departed: IKV, Ankeny, IA
- Destination: ALO, Waterloo, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ALO, Waterloo Regional Airport, runway 18, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 3,440 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,240 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: ALO

## 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 20061213028589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061213028589A), Dec 13, 2006: Piper PA31T1, Waterloo, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) VOR approach to runway 18 at the Waterloo Municipal Airport, Waterloo, Iowa. Pilot reported visual approach 2 to 3 miles from end of runway. Pilot…

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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