# NTSB WPR13CA148: Piper PA-24-400, N8533P, Minden, NV, March 12, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2013, 12:27 local (19:27 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 38.998054, -119.752502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9981&lon=-119.7525&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86407/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86407
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA148

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-400, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [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-24-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-24-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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-24-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102408), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing, he crossed the threshold at 85 to 90 knots with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot used the electric trim as the airplane “floated” about 3 to 4 feet above the runway. The airplane subsequently touched down hard, and it bounced three times, striking the propeller on the runway each time. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control by applying brakes and making rudder control inputs, and the airplane departed the side of the runway, collapsing the landing gear. Postaccident examinations revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s lower belly main structure from the forward bulkhead firewall to just aft of the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing, he crossed the threshold at 85 to 90 knots with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot utilized the electric trim as the airplane floated down the runway about 3 to 4 feet above the surface. The airplane subsequently touched down hard and it bounced three times, striking the propeller on the runway each time. The nose gear was damaged and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control with braking action and rudder control. The airplane departed the side of the runway collapsing the landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s belly revealed that five bulkheads from the firewall aft were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8533P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8533P), registered now, S/N 26-114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-114
- Airframe hours: 4540
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2012
- Departed: 41U, Manti, UT
- Destination: MEV, Minden, NV
- Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe Airport, runway 34, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: CXP, 11 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 20130312003669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130312003669A), Mar 12, 2013: Piper PA-24-400, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he had a hard landing on runway 34 and that he bounced 3 times with propeller strikes. The pilot stated that he lost directional control…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86407. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Map of Parts Location (item 3, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Parts%20Location-Master.PDF
- FAA Interview of Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview%20of%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Email Regarding Where Parts were Found (item 5, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Regarding%20Where%20Parts%20were%20Found-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.

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