Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Collapses After Ground Contact Short of Runway (N4347B)

Elsinore, CA, US

On May 22, 1983, a Piper PA24-250 (registration N4347B) was involved in an aviation accident near Elsinore, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

An aircraft collided with the ground and a dirt bank short of the runway during landing, collapsing the landing gear. The pilot landed on a dirt road before bouncing and hitting a ridge, shearing the left main gear.

Accident Details

During the landing attempt on a dirt runway, the aircraft collided with the ground and a dirt bank short of the runway, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear. The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on a dirt runway but was concerned about a lake located at the departure end.

Landing Sequence

The pilot stated that on short final, the airspeed was 70 knots with full flaps and full RPM. The main gear first touched down on a dirt road that crossed in front of the approach end of the runway. The aircraft then bounced back into the air, heading toward the runway. The left main gear subsequently struck a dirt ridge at the runway threshold, shearing off.

Aircraft and Damage

During the landing on the runway, both the nose gear and the right main gear retracted into their respective wheel wells. The aircraft came to rest approximately 120 feet down the runway, with the nose pointing about 20 degrees to the right of the centerline. The landing gear was collapsed, and damage occurred to the underside of the aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X43057. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.