Event IAD98LA058

Factual narrative

On May 13, 1998, at 1915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N1142C, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard during landing at the Winchester Regional Airport, Winchester, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during landing on runway 32, the airplane's nosewheel struck the runway. The nosewheel then collapsed, and the airplane came to rest 100 feet beyond the touchdown point. He said that he was distracted during the landing as his passenger was sick and vomiting. The pilot said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The pilot reported that during landing on runway 32, he touched down on the nosewheel first followed by the main wheels. The nosewheel then collapsed, and the airplane came to rest 100 feet beyond the touchdown point. He said that he was distracted during landing as his passenger was sick and vomiting. The pilot said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12