# NTSB WPR09LA014: Piper PA-31-350, N27996, Fresno, CA, September 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2008, 08:53 local (15:53 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.776111, -119.718055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7761&lon=-119.7181&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 May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69301/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA014 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged the flare resulting in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a firm landing and had a blown right main tire, but indicated no other problems. After replacement of both tires, the airplane continued in service for two flight sequences, flown by other pilots. Inspection by maintenance personnel revealed a line of popped rivet heads on the upper surface of the left wing above the rear spar between the nacelle and the wing fillet fairing. A close inspection discovered popped rivet heads on the left side of the fuselage below the cabin window with a gap visible in the skin lap. Inspection of both main gear wheels and tires revealed cuts and impressions in the tire sidewalls indicative of a very hard landing. Further inspection discovered buckling of both main spar webs between the fuselage and nacelles. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2008, about 0853 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N27996, landed hard at Fresno, California. Ameriflight, LLC, was operating the airplane as flight AMF 238 under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The cross-country flight originated from Oakland, California, about 0758. The pilot reported a firm landing and a blown right main tire, but indicated no other problems. Local contract maintenance replaced both tires. The airplane then continued in service for two flight sequences, flown by other pilots. Inspection by Ameriflight maintenance personnel in Oakland revealed a line of popped rivet heads on the upper surface of the left wing above the rear spar between the nacelle and the wing fillet fairing. A close inspection discovered popped rivet heads on the left side of the fuselage below the cabin window with a gap visible in the skin lap. Maintenance personnel conducted a detailed hard landing inspection with no further damage discovered. However, they reported that inspection of both main gear wheels and tires revealed cuts and impressions in the tire sidewalls indicative of a very hard landing. They replaced the damaged rivets, and repositioned the airplane, on a ferry permit, to the company's headquarters and major maintenance facility at Burbank, California, for further inspection. The senior training captain who ferried the airplane reported that performance and handling qualities were completely normal. At Burbank, maintenance personnel removed wing skins from the left nacelle and the leading edge of the left wing. They discovered buckling of both main spar webs between the fuselage and nacelles. ## 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) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27996](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27996-2009-01-14), registration cancelled 2009-01-14, S/N 31-7952083, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-7952083 - Airframe hours: 14572 - Engines: Lycoming LTIO-540-J2B 350 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540-J2B 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Ameriflight, Inc. - Registered owner: Uas Transervices Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, September 11, 2008, 38 hours before - Departed: OAK, Oakland, CA - Destination: FAT, Fresno, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FAT, Fresno ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 3,403 total, 618 in this make and model, 205 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 20080929848469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080929848469A), Sep 29, 2008: Piper PA31350, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Hard landing made at fat bent spars, buckled skin of aircraft. 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.