# NTSB WPR12CA319: Dornier DO 27 B5, N780AX, Jackson Hole, WY, July 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2012, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Jackson Hole, WY - Coordinates: 43.607223, -110.737777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6072&lon=-110.7378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Denver Flight Standards Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 84413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA319 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Dornier DO 27 B5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2990725), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dornier DO 27 B5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2990725), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dornier DO 27 B5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2990725), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dornier DO 27 B5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2990725), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Dornier DO 27 B5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2990725), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight he was unable to maintain a sufficient climb rate to clear the mountainous terrain, and he initiated an off-airport precautionary landing to a nearby alpine meadow. When the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear collided with a large rock and collapsed. The airplane bounced and touched down a second time before sliding about 150 feet to a stop. The airplane’s fuselage and undercarriage sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight he was unable to maintain a sufficient climb rate to clear the mountainous terrain, and he initiated an off airport precautionary landing to a nearby alpine meadow. When the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear collided with a large rock and collapsed. The airplane bounced and touched down a second time and slid approximately 150 feet to a stop. The airplane’s fuselage and under carriage sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N780AX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N780AX-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 391, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DORNIER DO 27 B5 - Registry model: [Dornier DO 27 B5](https://openairdocs.org/model/dornier-do-27-b5) (registry code 2990725) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480-B1A6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-b1a6) (registry code 42159, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 391 - Airframe hours: 2293 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B1A6 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Martini Luc J.R. - Registered owner: Martini Luc J.R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2012, 10 hours before - Departed: 46U, Alpine, WY - Destination: PNA, Pinedale, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; last flight review May 13, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,150 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,130 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 20120722015019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120722015019A), Jul 22, 2012: Dornier DO 27 B5, Jackson Hole, WY, Substantial damage. On 7/22/2012, approx. 1100MST, N780AX impacted terrain vic jac, WY. Sub damage, 2 POB no injuries. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84413. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375494&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.