CEN13CA335

Factual narrative

According to the pilot's statements contained in both the NTSB and Pittsfield Police Department accident reports, he made a stop-and-go landing on runway 6. Due to other airplanes in the traffic pattern, the pilot requested and was cleared to land on runway 12. He inadvertently aligned the airplane with runway 30 and was subsequently cleared to land on that runway. The recorded wind was almost a direct tailwind (110 degrees) at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot said he touched down at 50 to 60 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) and about 700 feet short of the intersection with runway 06-24. A slight upward slope at the intersection caused the airplane to bounce and become airborne. The pilot contemplated making a go-around, but elected to continue the landing. Upon touching down again, the airplane began to porpoise, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. The passengers and a witness corroborated the pilot's statements. Postaccident examination revealed buckling of the engine firewall and a hole in the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 30. The recorded wind was 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane touched down at 50 to 60 knots and about 700 feet short of the intersection with runway 6-24. A slight upward slope at the intersection caused the airplane to bounce and become airborne. The pilot contemplated making a go-around, but elected to continue the landing. Upon touching down again, the airplane began to porpoise, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Contributed to outcome - F
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C