No fatalities

Landing Incident Leads to Gear Collapse and Runway Excursion (N8055Y)

Brooksville, FL, US

On May 15, 1999, a Piper PA-30 (registration N8055Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Brooksville, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The certified flight instructor's failure to recover from a porpoise during landing and his failure to maintain directional control. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During landing, a training flight experienced porpoising and ballooning. The instructor took over; on the second attempt, the right main gear collapsed, causing wing and propeller strikes, and the aircraft exited the runway.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor and a private pilot completed an uneventful flight to their destination. Upon touchdown on the runway, the airplane porpoised, ballooned, and yawed to the left, with the left wing low and the nose in a nose-high attitude. The instructor then assumed control of the aircraft.

Second Landing Attempt

During the subsequent landing attempt, the right main landing gear collapsed. As a result, the right wing and propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane subsequently departed the left edge of the runway at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Pilot Reports

The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to or during the flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 May 1999 Piper PA-30 accident near Brooksville, FL?

During landing, a training flight experienced porpoising and ballooning. The instructor took over; on the second attempt, the right main gear collapsed, causing wing and propeller strikes, and the aircraft exited the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 May 1999 Piper PA-30 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 May 1999 involved a Piper PA-30, registration N8055Y, at Brooksville, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The certified flight instructor's failure to recover from a porpoise during landing and his failure to maintain directional control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18695. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.