# NTSB NYC93LA112: Piper PA-25-235, N6795Z, Kutztown, PA, June 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1993, 20:25 local (Jun 13, 1993, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.500827, -75.700294 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5008&lon=-75.7003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND EXECUTE A PROPER FLARE. LACK OF FAMILIARITY IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING HIS INITIAL LANDING IN THIS AIRPLANE, WHICH HAS ONLY ONE SEAT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'THE GLIDE ANGLE, TOUCHDOWN POINT SEEMED GOOD UNTIL AT 150 FEET FROM EDGE (OF RUNWAY) WHEN POWER WAS PURPOSELY REDUCED TO IDLE.  THE NOSE DROPPED (EXPECTED) AND THEN RESPONDED TO BACK ELEVATOR (EXPECTED) BUT FAILED TO HOLD THE FLARE ANGLE TO THE RUNWAY EDGE.  THE LANDING WAS 50 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE GEAR BROKE AT THE TUBULAR CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT SPRING GEAR (AND) THE LEFT GEAR DEPARTED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6795Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6795Z-2004-05-05), registration cancelled 2004-05-05, S/N 25-2440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2440
- Airframe hours: 3438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Granite Sales, Inc.
- Registered owner: Granite Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1993, 13 hours before
- Departed: N31
- Airport: N31, Kutztown Aviation Service, runway 9, 2,070 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 330 total, 1 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19930612033699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930612033699A), Jun 12, 1993: Piper PA25235, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. On solo check out in type. Failed to stop sink or flare on final. Impacted fifty feet short of runway.

## Other investigations on N6795Z (2)

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 NYC86FHM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FHM01), Jul 8, 1986: Piper PA-25-235 (N6795Z), Goshen, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67D0611](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0611), May 7, 1967: Piper PA-25 (N6795Z), Vancourt, TX, substantial damage

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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