# NTSB NYC99LA016: Piper PA-34-200, N55697, Oneonta, NY, October 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Oneonta, NY - Coordinates: 42.450122, -75.059982 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4501&lon=-75.0600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45158/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was landing on runway 24. A witness observed the airplane contact the runway, bounce approximately 15 feet in the air, and land 'violently.' Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The nose gear strut had been driven up through the fuselage, and extended 6 to 8 inches above the fuselage in the vicinity of the windshield. Winds reported at an airport about 45 miles south-southwest of the accident site, were from 330 degrees at 6 knots. A pilot who landed 10 minutes before the accident stated the winds were from 300-310 degrees at 5-8 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 1998, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N55697, was substantially damaged while landing at the Oneonta Municipal Airport (N66), Oneonta, New York. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Danbury Municipal Airport, Danbury, Connecticut, about 1430, destined for N66. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he was landing on runway 24, with a 5 to 10 knot crosswind from the north. The pilot further stated: "...On the ensuing flare which appeared to be in a normal flaring attitude and on first impact with the ground, the plane bounced and porpoised down the runway. A total of 3 ground impacts occurred prior to slowing to a complete stop...." In a written statement, a witness said he saw the airplane hit the runway and bounce approximately 15 feet in the air. The airplane then landed "violently" and rolled 500 feet to a stop. Examination of the wreckage by an Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The nose gear strut had been driven up through the fuselage, and extended 6 to 8 inches above the fuselage in the vicinity of the windshield. The pilot reported 522 hours of total flight experience. He was issued a multiengine land airplane rating on October 18, 1998. The pilot possessed 70 total flight hours in multiengine airplanes, all in the make and model of the accident airplane, of which 4 hours were logged as pilot-in-command. Winds reported at an airport about 45 miles south-southwest of the accident site, were from 330 degrees at 6 knots. A pilot who landed 10 minutes before the accident stated the winds were from 300-310 degrees at 5-8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55697](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55697-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 34-7350237, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350237 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James J. Hahn - Registered owner: Vne Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1998, 47 hours before - Departed: DXR, DANBURY, CT - Destination: N66 - Airport: N66, Oneonta, runway 24, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 522 total, 70 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BGM, 45 nm away ## 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 19981025045829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981025045829A), Oct 25, 1998: Piper PA34200, Oneonta, NY, Substantial damage. The airplane was landing on runway 24. A witness observed the airplane contact the runway, bounce approx. 15 feet in the air, and land 'violently.' Examination… ## Other investigations on N55697 (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 NYC84LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA213), Jun 18, 1984: Piper PA-34-200 (N55697), Monongahela, PA, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA74DKJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKJ22), Sep 4, 1973: Piper PA-34 (N55697), Huntsville, AL, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.