1993-06-13: Piper PA-25-235 — Granite Sales, Inc. — Kutztown, PA

Casualties unknown • Kutztown, PA, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND EXECUTE A PROPER FLARE. LACK OF FAMILIARITY IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING HIS INITIAL LANDING IN THIS AIRPLANE, WHICH HAS ONLY ONE SEAT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'THE GLIDE ANGLE, TOUCHDOWN POINT SEEMED GOOD UNTIL AT 150 FEET FROM EDGE (OF RUNWAY) WHEN POWER WAS PURPOSELY REDUCED TO IDLE. THE NOSE DROPPED (EXPECTED) AND THEN RESPONDED TO BACK ELEVATOR (EXPECTED) BUT FAILED TO HOLD THE FLARE ANGLE TO THE RUNWAY EDGE. THE LANDING WAS 50 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE GEAR BROKE AT THE TUBULAR CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT SPRING GEAR (AND) THE LEFT GEAR DEPARTED.'

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-06-13 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Kutztown, PA?

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING HIS INITIAL LANDING IN THIS AIRPLANE, WHICH HAS ONLY ONE SEAT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'THE GLIDE ANGLE, TOUCHDOWN POINT SEEMED GOOD UNTIL AT 150 FEET FROM EDGE (OF RUNWAY) WHEN POWER WAS PURPOSELY REDUCED TO IDLE. THE NOSE DROPPED (EXPECTED) AND THEN RESPONDED TO BACK ELEVATOR (EXPECTED) BUT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-06-13 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N6795Z, operated by Granite Sales, Inc., at Kutztown, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND EXECUTE A PROPER FLARE. LACK OF FAMILIARITY IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12697. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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