# NTSB GAA16CA378: Piper PA46R, N465BP, Denver, CO, July 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2016, 12:11 local (18:11 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.784168, -104.537498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7842&lon=-104.5375&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA378 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper nose down pitch attitude during touchdown resulting in a propeller strike, hard bounced landing, and nose landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 PA46R-350T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104610), [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 PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA46R-350T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104610), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross country flight, he canceled his IFR clearance, and made a visual approach to runway 26. He recalled that Tower told him that his airplane would be the last to land on runway 26, and he recalled that the inbound airplane behind him was vectored for an approach to runway 08. He reported that after landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to the right side of the runway, and partially exited the runway before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts, firewall and fuselage bulkheads. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane and the accident scene, reported that during the landing the propeller struck the runway, the airplane bounced and settled back to the runway about 100 feet further down the runway where a second set of propeller blade strike markings were identified. The Inspector reported that the propeller blade strike markings were accompanied by black rubber skid marks that extended from the runway centerline and veered to the right edge of the runway. The Inspector reported that, the nose gear collapsed backwards as evidenced by white paint marks and metallic material scarring the asphalt. The airplane continued to veer to the right where it eventually departed the paved runway coming to a rest in the dirt. The Inspector confirmed that the distance from the initial propeller strike to the wreckage was about 735 feet. The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport reported that the wind direction and distance about the time of the accident was 010 degrees true at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that following an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross country flight, he canceled his IFR clearance, and made a visual approach to runway 26. He recalled that Tower told him that his airplane would be the last to land on runway 26, and he recalled that the inbound airplane behind him was vectored for an approach to runway 08. He reported that after landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to the right side of the runway, and partially exited the runway before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts, firewall and fuselage bulkheads. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane and the accident scene, reported that during the landing the propeller struck the runway, the airplane bounced and settled back to the runway about 100 feet further down the runway where a second set of propeller blade strike markings were identified. The Inspector reported that the propeller blade strike markings were accompanied by black rubber skid marks that extended from the runway centerline and veered to the right edge of the runway. The Inspector reported that, the nose gear collapsed backwards as evidenced by white paint marks and metallic material scarring the asphalt. The airplane continued to veer to the right where it eventually departed the paved runway coming to a rest in the dirt. The Inspector confirmed that the distance from the initial propeller strike to the wreckage was about 735 feet. The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport reported that the wind direction and distance about the time of the accident was 010 degrees true at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N465BP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N465BP), registered now, S/N 4692032, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA46R (350T) - Registry model: [Piper PA46R-350T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa46r-350t) (registry code 7104610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4692032 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 692.8 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Matrix 37, LLC. - Registered owner: Matrix 37, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 2016 - Departed: HDE, Holdrege, NE - Destination: FTG, Denver, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 440 total, 103 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KFTG ## 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 20160714011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160714011009A), Jul 14, 2016: Piper Aircraft Inc PA46R-350T, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. On 07/14/2016 at approximately 1154 MDT, N465BP a Piper malibu matrix PA-46 airplane was damaged after the nose gear collapsed on runway 26 at Front Range… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93617. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Initial Notification - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Initial%20Notification%20-%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.