# NTSB SEA96LA125: Piper PA-24-250, N6554P, Hillsboro, OR, June 15, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1996, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.44001, -122.959556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4400&lon=-122.9596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA125

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point for landing. A factor relating to the accident was: upsloping terrain short of the threshold.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during an approach to land, he initiated his flare over a river. He reported the aircraft 'encountered a severe downdraft' and that 'elevator back pressure failed to stop (the) rapid descent.'  The accompanying flight instructor reported the pilot's approach angle 'was a little bit high' and that he observed the pilot 'slamming back on the control wheel just before touchdown.'  The aircraft's right main landing gear impacted rapidly upsloping terrain just short of the runway threshold; both main gear collapsed shortly thereafter. The aircraft then skidded down the runway approximately 750 feet on the nose wheel and collapsed main gear.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1996, approximately 1630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6554P, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, accompanied by a flight instructor, was substantially damaged during an undershoot and subsequent main landing gear collapse while landing at the Stark's Twin Oaks airstrip, Hillsboro, Oregon. Both occupants were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was instructional (a biannual flight review), was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the McMinnville airport, McMinnville, Oregon, shortly before the accident.

The pilot reported that he "started (his) flare over (the) river, encountered (a) severe downdraft" and that "elevator back pressure failed to stop (the) rapid descent." The aircraft's right main landing gear impacted rapidly upsloping terrain just short of the threshold of runway 02. Both main gear then collapsed and the aircraft skidded down the runway approximately 750 feet on the nose wheel and collapsed main gear.

The flight instructor was interviewed by an FAA inspector and reported that during the approach "the approach angle was little bit high" and that he observed the pilot "slamming back on the control wheel just before touchdown and during the flare."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6554P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6554P-2025-11-01), registration cancelled 2025-11-01, S/N 24-1676, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1676
- Airframe hours: 2606
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Honeycutt, George, F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: MMV, MCMINNVILLE, OR
- Destination: 7S3
- Airport: 4S3, Stark'S Twin Oaks Airpark, runway 2, 2,465 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 195 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 6 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 19960615014199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960615014199A), Jun 15, 1996: Piper PA24250, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Biennial flight review. Impacted slope short of runway. Folded landing gear. Blamed wind. Distablized approach.

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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