On October 28, 1986, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N1325T) was involved in an aviation accident near Pollok, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's late initiation of corrective action during emergency landing training, which resulted in a high sink rate and touchdown short of the runway, causing the nose gear to collapse upon striking an elevated lip. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A dual student pilot lost airspeed during emergency landing training, touched down short of the runway, and collapsed the nose gear upon striking an elevated lip.
What happened
The incident occurred while a dual student pilot was receiving instruction for an emergency landing procedure. During the approach phase, power to the engine was reduced as part of the training exercise. This reduction in thrust resulted in a loss of airspeed and caused the aircraft to develop a high sink rate.
The pilot initiated corrective action to arrest the descent, but the maneuver was started too late to prevent a hard landing. The aircraft touched down on the runway surface a few feet short of the intended touchdown zone. Upon impact, the main landing gear contacted an elevated lip at the end of the hard surface of the runway. This contact caused the nose gear to collapse.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the landing gear failure. Examination confirmed that the nose gear collapsed due to the impact with the elevated lip after the aircraft touched down short of the normal landing area.
Probable cause
The pilot's late initiation of corrective action during emergency landing training, which resulted in a high sink rate and touchdown short of the runway, causing the nose gear to collapse upon striking an elevated lip.
What happened in the 28 Oct 1986 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Pollok, TX?
A dual student pilot lost airspeed during emergency landing training, touched down short of the runway, and collapsed the nose gear upon striking an elevated lip.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Oct 1986 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N1325T, at Pollok, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's late initiation of corrective action during emergency landing training, which resulted in a high sink rate and touchdown short of the runway, causing the nose gear to collapse upon striking an elevated lip.
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