Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA293

Tunkhannock, PA, USA

Aircraft #1

N34JM

PIPER PA 34

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing and while in ground affect, "the airplane suddenly, and without an aural stall warning, lost lift and was forced onto the runway." Subsequently, the nose gear landing collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 15 miles from the accident site reported that, about 6 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 230° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 19.

Factual Information

The pilot reported that, during landing and while in ground affect, "the airplane suddenly, and without an aural stall warning, lost lift and was 'forced' onto the runway". Subsequently the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 15 miles from the accident site reported, about 6 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 230° at 10. The pilot landed on runway 19.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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