# NTSB NYC08CA272: Piper PA32, N4376X, Charleston, SC, August 3, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2008, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Coordinates: 32.898612, -80.040557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8986&lon=-80.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA272

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition and a wind gust, as reported by the pilot.

## 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-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was on final approach to land on runway 15 when he experienced a sudden wind gust and made a "very hard landing." As the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp, the nose landing gear collapsed. Post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the firewall, fuselage, and engine and nose strut mount assemblies. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 220 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Piper PA-32-300, was on final approach to land on runway 15, a 9,001-foot-long, 200-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He reported that he experienced a sudden wind gust and made a "very hard landing." As the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp, the nose landing gear collapsed. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the firewall, fuselage, and engine and nose strut mount assemblies. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. He reported 6,164 hours of total flight experience, which included about 6,000 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4376X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4376X-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 32-7640017, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (300)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7640017
- Airframe hours: 4910
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John T. Parker
- Registered owner: Parker Marine Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2008
- Departed: CHS, Charleston, SC
- Destination: CHS, Charleston, SC
- Airport: CHS, Charleston, runway 15, 9,001 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 6,164 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 1,997 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: CHS

## 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 20080803855459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080803855459A), Aug 3, 2008: Piper PA32300, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) @1615L time N4376X was on roll out after landing on runway 15. N4376X was instructed to turn left at taxi way j and replied he could not clear 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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