1991-05-03: Piper PA-32-300 — Camai Air — Eek, AK

Casualties unknown • Eek, AK, US

Probable cause

WAS THE HARD LANDING CAUSED WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH PORTION OF THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE DIRT/RIVER BANK JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT SHE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT ON SHORT FINAL. THE AIRPLANE FIRST TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 4 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, BOUNCED, THEN LANDED HARD ON THE RUNWAY CAUSING ALL LANDING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE POINT OF FIRST TOUCHDOWN WAS SLOPED DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY ABOUT 30 DEGREES. THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 100 FEET FROM A RIVER BANK WHICH DROPPED RAPIDLY ABOUT 20 FEET.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-05-03 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Eek, AK?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT SHE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT ON SHORT FINAL. THE AIRPLANE FIRST TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 4 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, BOUNCED, THEN LANDED HARD ON THE RUNWAY CAUSING ALL LANDING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE POINT OF FIRST TOUCHDOWN WAS SLOPED DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY ABOUT 30…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-05-03 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N4593T, operated by Camai Air, at Eek, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

WAS THE HARD LANDING CAUSED WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH PORTION OF THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE DIRT/RIVER BANK JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16898. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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