FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Landing Gear Collapse Following Hard Touchdown on Runway 17 (N21312)

Kernville, CA, US

On May 17, 1996, a Piper PA-32RT-300T (registration N21312) was involved in an aviation accident near Kernville, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent collapse of the landing gear due to downdrafts near the runway threshold. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft experienced a hard landing due to downdrafts near the runway threshold, causing gear collapse and departure from the paved surface during approach.

What happened

The pilot reported that the initial approach to runway 17 appeared normal until the aircraft encountered significant downdrafts while crossing over the runway numbers. This sudden loss of lift resulted in a hard touchdown on the pavement. The impact force caused the landing gear to collapse, leading the airplane to slide off the runway and down an embankment. The pilot noted that local wind conditions were from the south-southwest at 15 to 20 knots during the event.

Findings

The primary factors contributing to this accident included the encounter with a downdraft near the runway threshold and the subsequent hard touchdown that exceeded the structural limits of the landing gear. The collapse of the gear led directly to the aircraft leaving the paved surface.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent collapse of the landing gear due to downdrafts near the runway threshold.
Weather

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 May 1996 Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Kernville, CA?

Aircraft experienced a hard landing due to downdrafts near the runway threshold, causing gear collapse and departure from the paved surface during approach.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 May 1996 Piper PA-32RT-300T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 May 1996 involved a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registration N21312, at Kernville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent collapse of the landing gear due to downdrafts near the runway threshold.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05814. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.