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

Casualties unknown • Avalon, CA, US

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE MOUNTAIN TOP AIRPORT. HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND ON THE INITIAL LANDING APPROACH. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, HE LANDED LONG AND FAST. THE PILOT APPLIED HEAVY BRAKING TO PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM GOING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE GROUND LOOP.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-03-11 Piper PA-34-200T accident near Avalon, CA?

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE MOUNTAIN TOP AIRPORT. HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND ON THE INITIAL LANDING APPROACH. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, HE LANDED LONG AND FAST. THE PILOT APPLIED HEAVY BRAKING TO PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM GOING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT AT THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-03-11 involved a Piper PA-34-200T, registration N1808H, operated by South Bay Aviation, at Avalon, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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.

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.

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