On April 21, 1982, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N477FL) operated by Westchester Aeronautical Corp. was involved in an aviation accident near White Plains, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a bounce and subsequent nose gear impact. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced a hard bounce upon touchdown in gusty winds, resulting in significant damage to the nose gear, propeller, engine mount, and cowling. The aircraft was taxied clear of the runway.
What happened
Following a local flight, the pilot attempted to land under windy conditions characterized by gusts reaching 20 knots. As the aircraft approached the flare point for touchdown, it experienced an unexpected drop in altitude. In response, the pilot applied additional power and pulled back on the control yoke to arrest the descent. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft bouncing off the runway surface onto its nose gear.
The impact caused substantial damage to several critical components of the airframe. Specifically, the propeller, nose gear, engine mount, and cowling sustained damage. Despite the severity of the structural issues, the pilot retained control of the situation and successfully taxied the aircraft off the runway without further incident.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a bounce and subsequent nose gear impact.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 21 Apr 1982 Piper PA-28-140 accident near White Plains, NY?
A pilot experienced a hard bounce upon touchdown in gusty winds, resulting in significant damage to the nose gear, propeller, engine mount, and cowling. The aircraft was taxied clear of the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Apr 1982 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N477FL, operated by Westchester Aeronautical Corp., at White Plains, NY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a bounce and subsequent nose gear impact.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…