# NTSB LAX85LA327: Piper PA-34-200T, N2193Z, Avalon, CA, July 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 19:30 local (Jul 22, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.37918, -118.449996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3792&lon=-118.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND A GND WITNESS REPTD THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, MAIN WHEEL FIRST, IN A SMOOTH, SOFT MANNER. UPON TOUCH DOWN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT SLID FOR 200 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY DISCLOSED THE GEAR ACTUATOR ROD AHD SEPARATED. MICROSCOPIC EXAM OF THE FRACTURED SURFACE REVEALED OVRLD SIGNATURES. THE NOSE GEAR FORK ASSEMBLY PUNCTURED TO CAUSE THE FORK ASSY TO PENETRATE THE FUSELAGE SKIN. BOTH WINGS INBD SECTION LOWER SURFACES EXHIBITED EXTENSIVE WRINKLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2193Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2193Z-1990-04-17), registration cancelled 1990-04-17, S/N 347970213 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 347970213
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Omni Aviation
- Registered owner: William G. Burke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: AVX, AVALON, CA
- Airport: AVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,487 total, 11 in this make and model, 1,417 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850721032789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721032789A), Jul 21, 1985: Piper PA34200T, Avalon, CA, Substantial damage. Made hard landing which wrinkled skin on underside of wing and collapsed nose gear.

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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