# NTSB GAA17CA354: Piper PA28, N9238W, Big Bear, CA, June 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2017, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.263889, -116.853614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2639&lon=-116.8536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA354 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95409/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95409 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA354 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a "sudden massive gust of wind" that pitched the nose up. He pushed the yoke forward, but the wind shifted to a tailwind, and the airplane "slammed" onto the runway. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered right off the runway, and it then came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 4 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing flare the airplane encountered a "sudden massive gust of wind" that pitched the nose up. He pushed the yoke forward, but the wind shifted to a tailwind and the airplane "slammed" onto the runway. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered right off the runway and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 4 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. Note: The accident airport is at an elevation of about 6752 ft., with a calculated density altitude about the time of the accident of 9211 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9238W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9238W), registered now, S/N 28-10908, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (235) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10908 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 4409.6 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2016 - Departed: WHP, LOS ANGELES, CA - Destination: L35, Big Bear, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 1,047 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KL35 ## 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 20170604024049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170604024049A), Jun 4, 2017: Piper PA-28-235, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. N9238W approached runway at high rate of speed, at Big Bear Airport. The winds were fairly strong. N9238W landed on its nose gear, and went off the runway… ## Other investigations on N9238W (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 OAK69F0039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69F0039), May 30, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N9238W), San Francisco, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95409. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 838 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455024&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.