# NTSB ERA15CA069: Piper PA-46-310P, N933TK, Wachula, FL, December 2, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 2, 2014, 13:06 local (18:06 UTC) - Place: Wachula, FL - Coordinates: 27.514999, -81.880554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5150&lon=-81.8806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90451/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90451 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing during gusty crosswind conditions. ## 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; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he flew the traffic pattern to a touchdown zone landing on runway centerline. However, after touching down, the airplane "floated back up," then touched down again "with authority." It bounced again, then "weather vaned some," and the pilot became concerned that the airplane was "chewing up runway." The airplane then touched down a third time, but the pilot did not pull back on the yoke. He subsequently heard the propeller strike the runway, the airplane then veered off the right side of the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the engine mounts broke. The pilot indicated that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Nearest recorded weather included winds that were about 90 degrees from the right of the runway, at 10, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he flew the traffic pattern to a touchdown zone landing on runway centerline. However, after touching down, the airplane "floated back up," then touched down again "with authority." It bounced again, then "weather vaned some," and the pilot became concerned that the airplane was "chewing up runway." The airplane then touched down a third time, but the pilot did not pull back on the yoke. He subsequently heard the propeller strike the runway, the airplane then veered off the right side of the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the engine mounts broke. The pilot indicated that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Nearest recorded weather included winds that were about 90 degrees from the right of the runway, at 10, gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N933TK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4608029 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 3240 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Jupiter Malibu, LLC - Registered owner: Jupiter Malibu, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2014 - Departed: VRB, Vero Beach, FL - Destination: CHN, Wachula, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CHN, Wauchula Muni, runway 36, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 692 total, 74 in this make and model, 556 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 28 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 20141202022129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141202022129A), Dec 2, 2014: Piper PA-46-310P, Wachula, FL, Substantial damage. PIC canceled IFR and proceeded to the airport under visual flight rules. PIC stated he bounced twice, remaining in ground effect, then ?forced? The landing… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90451. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.