Landing gear collapse during approach to land

Casualties unknown • Hillsboro, OR, US

A pilot experienced a rapid descent due to a severe downdraft, leading to a landing gear collapse upon impacting upsloping terrain short of the runway.

What happened

During an approach to land, the pilot initiated the flare maneuver while over a river. The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered a severe dowundraft, noting that applying back pressure on the elevator was insufficient to arrest the resulting rapid descent.

A flight instructor accompanying the flight observed that the pilot's approach angle was slightly high and noted that the pilot applied heavy back pressure on the control wheel immediately before touchdown.

The right main landing gear struck rapidly upsloping terrain located just short of the runway threshold. Following this impact, both main landing gears collapsed. The aircraft then proceeded to skid approximately 750 feet down the runway, supported by the nose wheel and the collapsed main gear.

Probable cause

The pilot's encounter with a severe downdraft during the flare, combined with an approach angle that was too high, led to the aircraft impacting upsloping terrain before the runway threshold.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-06-15 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Hillsboro, OR?

A pilot experienced a rapid descent due to a severe downdraft, leading to a landing gear collapse upon impacting upsloping terrain short of the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-06-15 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N6554P, at Hillsboro, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's encounter with a severe downdraft during the flare, combined with an approach angle that was too high, led to the aircraft impacting upsloping terrain before the runway threshold.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06120. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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