# NTSB SEA07CA123: Piper PA28-235, N8581W, San Jose, CA, May 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2007, 17:30 local (May 7, 2007, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.330001, -121.686386
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3300&lon=-121.6864&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Jose FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA123

## Probable cause

Wind shear encounter during approach for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
- Hard landing, landing
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - sheared
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on short final to runway 31R, approximately 30 feet above ground level (agl), he encountered a "lurching, slamming sensation and the aircraft lunged toward the ground."   The pilot stated he applied "full" power, however the airplane continued to descend and struck the ground.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear and wing.  The pilot reported that he encountered "severe low-level wind shear" while on final approach.  He estimated an airspeed loss of 15-20 knots at 30 feet agl.  The pilot reported that the winds were from 300 degrees (magnetic) at 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while on short final to runway 31R, approximately 30 feet above ground level (agl), he encountered a "lurching, slamming sensation and the aircraft lunged toward the ground."   The pilot stated he applied "full" power, however the airplane continued to descend and struck the ground.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear and wing.

The pilot reported that he encountered "severe low-level wind shear" while on final approach.  He estimated an airspeed loss of 15-20 knots at 30 feet agl.

The pilot reported that the winds were from 300 degrees (magnetic) at 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8581W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8581W-2009-12-14), registration cancelled 2009-12-14, S/N 28-10093, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10093
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Greg Illes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OVE, OROVILLE, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview Of Santa Clara C, runway 31R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 3,244 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 20070506007949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070506007949A), May 6, 2007: Piper PA28235, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) N8581W, landed hard on runway 31R. This hard landing sheared off the left main landing gear, bending the spar, bending and buckling the engine mount and…

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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