Casualties unknown

Hard Landing After Flap Deployment During Icing on ILS Approach (N2962W)

Avoca, PA, US

On March 17, 1982, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N2962W) operated by Pocono Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Avoca, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During an ILS approach in icing conditions, a pilot applied one notch of flaps inside the middle marker, causing the aircraft to nose down. Despite correction, the aircraft oscillated and settled from 10-15 ft at 90 knots, resulting in a hard landing.

Incident Summary

A pilot encountered icing conditions while descending from 5,000 to 4,000 feet near the destination airport. The pilot was cleared for an immediate instrument landing system (ILS) approach. The aircraft maintained 110 knots on final approach until passing the middle marker. At that point, the pilot applied one notch of flaps, and the aircraft nosed down toward the approach lights. The pilot reported using both hands to correct the situation, and the aircraft oscillated downward toward the runway. At approximately 90 knots, the aircraft settled from about 10 to 15 feet above the runway and landed hard.

Flight Details

During the descent from 5,000 to 4,000 feet, the pilot encountered icing conditions. The destination airport had an ILS approach available, and air traffic control cleared the pilot for an immediate ILS approach. The pilot maintained a speed of 110 knots on final approach, continuing at that speed until inside the middle marker.

Approach and Hard Landing

Upon reaching a point inside the middle marker, the pilot selected one notch of flaps. Immediately, the aircraft's nose pitched down toward the approach lights. The pilot used both hands in an attempt to correct the aircraft's attitude. The aircraft then oscillated as it descended toward the runway. When the airspeed decreased to about 90 knots, the aircraft settled from an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet and made contact with the runway in a hard landing. No further details about the aircraft or post-landing conditions were provided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X02514. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.