# NTSB NYC08CA169: Piper PA-46-350P, N345RP, Chapel Hill, NC, April 22, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 22, 2008, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Chapel Hill, NC
- Coordinates: 35.935001, -79.065834
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9350&lon=-79.0658&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA169

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported the wind was "gusty and bumpy" during final approach to the destination airport. As the airplane "crossed the numbers" for runway 9, it touched down and "ballooned up" twice, before the pilot added power to avoid a stall. When it touched down again, the nose wheel broke off, and the propeller struck the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. At the time of the accident, the winds were recorded from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Piper PA-46-350P reported the wind was "gusty and bumpy" during final approach to the destination airport. As the airplane "crossed the numbers" for runway 9, the airplane touched down and "ballooned up" twice, before the pilot added power to avoid a stall. At the same time, the airplane touched down again, the nose wheel broke off, and the propeller struck the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. At the time of the accident, the winds were recorded from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N345RP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N345RP), registered now, S/N 4622096, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-350P
- Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4622096
- Airframe hours: 2721
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Patterson
- Registered owner: Annie Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006
- Departed: 34A, LAURENS, SC
- Destination: IGX, Chapel Hill, NC
- Airport: IGX, Horace Williams Airport, runway 9, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; flight hours: 2,291 total, 652 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: IGX

## 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 20080422832149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080422832149A), Apr 22, 2008: Piper PA46350P, Chapel Hill, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing at Chapel Hill, NC (igx), pilot was landing when windy conditions caused porpoising. On second or third touchdown, the aircraft nose gear…

## Other investigations on N345RP (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 ATL99LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA052), Mar 14, 1999: Piper PA-46-350P (N345RP), Laurens, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's disregard for current wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were the tailwind and wet runway surface.

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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