On December 24, 1995, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N8162S) operated by Donald A. Karroll was involved in an aviation accident near Wheeling, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot performing currency takeoffs and landings experienced a hard landing after encountering a downdraft during a crosswind landing, resulting in damage to the right landing gear and wing.
Incident Overview
A pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings to comply with currency regulations. During the first crosswind landing, at an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot reported increasing elevator deflection, but the airplane's rate of descent did not decrease. He did not increase engine power because there was insufficient time, and the airplane subsequently landed hard.
Damage
The hard landing caused the right landing gear to twist approximately 30 degrees outboard. The right wing was bent upward, with skin wrinkling visible on the upper surface.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 24 Dec 1995 Piper PA-28RT-201 accident near Wheeling, IL?
A pilot performing currency takeoffs and landings experienced a hard landing after encountering a downdraft during a crosswind landing, resulting in damage to the right landing gear and wing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Dec 1995 involved a Piper PA-28RT-201, registration N8162S, operated by Donald A. Karroll, at Wheeling, IL.
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