Casualties unknown

1993-03-11: Piper PA-34-200T (N1808H) — South Bay Aviation — Avalon, CA

Avalon, CA, US

On March 11, 1993, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N1808H) operated by South Bay Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Avalon, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT IS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A certificated airline transport pilot, unfamiliar with a mountain top airport, executed a go-around on initial approach, then landed long and fast. Heavy braking and intentional ground loop led to left main gear collapse.

Incident Overview

A certificated airline transport pilot was operating an aircraft into a mountain top airport with which he was not familiar. On the first landing approach, he executed a go-around. On the second approach, the pilot landed long and fast. After touchdown, the pilot applied heavy braking to prevent the airplane from going off the end of the runway and down the embankment. When he realized the airplane was not going to stop on the runway, he intentionally ground looped the airplane. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed.

Pilot Actions

The pilot, unfamiliar with the airport, initially attempted a landing but performed a go-around. On the second attempt, he touched down long and fast. He then applied heavy braking to avoid an overrun. When it became clear the aircraft would not stop within the runway, he intentionally ground looped the aircraft. The left main gear collapsed during the ground loop.

Outcome

The source indicates that the left main landing gear collapsed as a result of the ground loop. No other damage is specified. The pilot's unfamiliarity with the mountain top airport is noted. The pilot's actions included a go-around, a subsequent long and fast landing, heavy braking, and an intentional ground loop.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12005. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.