# NTSB LAX95LA014: Piper PA-34-220T, N8154C, Palo Alto, CA, October 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1994, 15:02 local (22:02 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450325, -122.100685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4503&lon=-122.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA014

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - weather condition - gusts
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 30 WITH A GUSTY LEFT CROSSWIND CONDITION.  THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED POWER TOO RAPIDLY IN THE LANDING FLARE DUE TO HIS PREOCCUPATION WITH THE CROSSWIND AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON THE MAIN GEAR AND BOUNCED.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IN THE BOUNCE RECOVERY HE DID NOT USE ENOUGH BACK PRESSURE ON THE ELEVATOR CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED. AFTER SEVERAL OSCILLATIONS, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Factual narrative

On October 12, 1994, at 1502 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8154C, porpoised following a bounced landing recovery and collapsed the nose gear at Palo Alto, California.  The aircraft was operated by the West Valley Flying Club of Palo Alto, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight.  The aircraft was substantially damaged.  The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed.  The flight had originated at Sedona, Arizona, on the day of the accident at 1141 mountain standard time.

The aircraft was landing on runway 30 with a gusty left crosswind condition.  The pilot said he reduced power too rapidly in the landing flare due to his preoccupation with the crosswind and the aircraft landed hard on the main gear and bounced.  The pilot reported that in the bounce recovery he did not use enough back pressure on the elevator control and the aircraft porpoised. After several oscillations, the nose landing gear collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8154C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8154C-2010-11-24), registration cancelled 2010-11-24, S/N 34-7970391 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970391
- Airframe hours: 2248
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Brian Marchant
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1994, 183 hours before
- Departed: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ
- Destination: PAO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 41 in this make and model, 537 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19941012048189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941012048189A), Oct 12, 1994: Piper PA34200T, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced porpoised on crosswind landing. 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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