# NTSB DEN84LA130: Piper PA-34-200T, N6174H, Ruidoso, NM, April 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1984, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruidoso, NM
- Coordinates: 33.350486, -105.679862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3505&lon=-105.6799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT A COMBINATION OF HIGH GROUND SPEED, TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT THE RWY. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT IT BETTER TO LAND AS HE DID THAN TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND BECAUSE OF HIGH TERRAIN TO THE NORTH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6174H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7870055
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billy Buchanan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 28, 1983
- Departed: RBD, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: RUI, Ruidoso, runway 36, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RUI

## 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 19840417012979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840417012979A), Apr 17, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Ruidoso, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot made hard landing in attempt to get aircraft on runway and right gear collapsed. Wind changed during approach

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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