Skip to content

WPR13CA148

2013-03-12 · Minden, Nevada, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MEV

Current FAA registration · N8533P

Make / Model
PIPER PA-24-400
Engine
LYCOMING IO-720 (400 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19650322
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ABB54C

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_WPR13CA148.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

External sources are reported, not agency: signal that something happened, not fact about what happened.