# NTSB WPR10LA240: Piper PA-34-220T, N110RV, Sedona, AZ, March 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2010, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.848609, -111.788612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8486&lon=-111.7886&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76012 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76012/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76012 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA240 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in tailwind conditions, which resulted 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## 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); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis In preparation for a flight home, the pilot started his airplane's left engine. However, the right engine would not start and the battery became depleted. The pilot acquired assistance from a local fixed base operator who supplied current from an external battery, and the right engine started. The pilot proceeded to check all of the airplane's instruments and noted no anomalies. Seconds after takeoff on runway 21, when the pilot attempted to raise the landing gear, all electrical power was lost. The pilot reversed course and immediately landed on runway 03 with a 15- to 24-knot left quartering tailwind. The pilot misjudged the landing flare, the airplane touched down hard, and the right engine's propeller and wing impacted the runway and were damaged. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2010, about 1530 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N110RV, made a hard landing at the Sedona Airport, Sedona, Arizona. During touchdown, the right engine's propeller blades and the right wing impacted the runway. Structural components in the right wing were bent, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured during the personal flight. The pilot owned and operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it originated from Sedona about 1529. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that after having lunch at the airport, he proceeded to his airplane with the intent of making a return flight to Scottsdale, Arizona. The airplane's left engine started without difficulty. However, the right engine would not start "due to a weak/low battery." The pilot acquired assistance from a local fixed base operator who supplied current from an external battery. Initially, the right engine's amp meter indicated zero amps, but after increasing its power to 1,500 rpm, it indicated 5 amps. The pilot further reported that he proceeded to check all of the airplane's instruments, and he did not observe any anomalies that would preclude a safe flight back home. Seconds after taking off from runway 21, the pilot attempted to retract the airplane’s landing gear. He stated that as soon as the landing gear position lever was moved up, "all electrical power went out.” The pilot opined that the landing gear did not properly retract, and the airplane’s climb performance decreased. He elected to immediately reverse course and return for landing on the opposite runway. The pilot successfully reversed course, and he made a downwind landing with a “strong tailwind” on runway 03. The wind was from about 270 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 24 knots. The pilot indicated that the airplane touched down hard, and the right engine's propeller and wing impacted the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N110RV), registered now, S/N 34-8133196, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-8133196 - Airframe hours: 3264 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2009, 122 hours before - Departed: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Destination: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 03, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 48 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: SEZ ## 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 20100326033069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100326033069A), Mar 26, 2010: Piper PA-34-220T, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Airman landed for lunch and left master switch on. Aircraft was started using aux power. After takeoff, landing gear did not fully retract and airman decided… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76012. 618 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.