# NTSB NYC07CA213: Piper PA-34-200T, N251AS, Wilmington, DE, September 3, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2007, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, DE
- Coordinates: 39.678611, -75.606391
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6786&lon=-75.6064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA213

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor to the accident was the wind gust.

## 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)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While on final approach for landing on runway 27 at his destination airport, the pilot of a PA-34-200T was advised by the control tower of "18 mph [wind] gusts out of 270" degrees.  After touchdown the airplane rolled for "several yards," then "ballooned up and came down," at which time, the windshield broke.  The airplane bounced once again, touched down, and rolled out, completing the landing.  Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was substantially damaged.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the PA-34-200T stated that the while on final approach for landing on runway 27 at his destination airport, he was advised by the control tower of "18 mph [wind] gusts out of 270" degrees.  After touchdown the airplane rolled for "several yards," then "ballooned up and came down," at which time, the windshield broke.  The airplane bounced once again, touched down, and rolled out, completing the landing.  Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear "A-frame" assembly had impacted the base of the windshield after tearing through the fuselage structure located above the nose landing gear wheel well.  Further examination revealed that the right propeller was also damaged and the ends of the blades had been bent aft.  No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions were discovered.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N251AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N251AS), registered now, S/N 34-8070119, built 1980 (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)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8070119
- Airframe hours: 4350.5
- Engines: Continental LTSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-360-EB1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fly Boys LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006
- Departed: DYL, Doylestown, PA
- Destination: ILG, Wilmington, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 439 total, 152 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: ILG

## 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 20070903829619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070903829619A), Sep 3, 2007: Piper PA34200T, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed at New Castle Airport (ilg) on 09/03/2007 at 1338E and taxied to the ramp at red eagle avionics. According to the tower transcripts the…

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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