# NTSB FTW99LA073: Piper PA-24-250, N112WS, Denton, TX, February 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 1999, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Denton, TX - Coordinates: 33.229278, -97.179061 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2293&lon=-97.1791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA073 ## Probable cause The hard landing as a result of the pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the landing flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - runway - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis During the landing flare and the airplane contacted the runway 'hard.' The pilot approached the airport from the east for a visual approach. He stated that 'just before touchdown I realized we were sinking too fast,' and he applied power. Subsequently, the airplane contacted runway and the left main landing gear and the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident the weather conditions were clear skies and calm winds. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 1999, at 1645 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N112WS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Hidden Valley Airpark Airport, near Denton, Texas. The private pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the Majors Airport, Greenville, Texas, at 1630. According to the 774 hour pilot, he approached the airport from the east and made a visual approach to runway 34. The airplane turned onto the final approach leg and the pilot "ran the checklist," which included extending the flaps to the "full down" position. He stated that everything was "normal [,and] working properly." The pilot reported that the airplane began to "sink," and he applied power. The pilot added that the airplane landed "hard" on the 1,985 foot runway. Subsequently, the left main landing gear and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the east side of the runway surface onto grassy terrain and came to rest upright, on a westerly heading. The pilot reported that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear skies and calm winds. An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that the left main landing gear penetrated the lower and upper sections of the wing skin. Additionally, the nose gear collapsed and the propeller tips were curled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N112WS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N112WS), registered now, S/N 24-2765, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2765 - Airframe hours: 4626 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack E. Daniels - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1998, 49 hours before - Departed: GVT, GREENVILLE, TX - Destination: 5XT0, LAKE DALLAS, TX - Airport: 5TX0, Hidden Valley Airpark, runway 34, 1,985 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 774 total, 277 in this make and model, 774 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19990207013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990207013569A), Feb 7, 1999: Piper PA24250, Lake Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. On February 7,1999, at 1645 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N112WS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Hidden Valley… ## Other investigations on N112WS (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW71DRG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRG16), Jul 30, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N112WS), S.Luis Gonzga, Mexico, substantial damage 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.