On December 3, 2003, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N1451T) was involved in an aviation accident near Morenci, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's excessive landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown and hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A single-engine airplane sustained tail structure damage after a hard landing on a dirt airstrip during a short-field landing attempt. The pilot reported an excessive nose-up attitude during flare, leading to tail tie-down contact.
Incident Overview
A single-engine airplane experienced a hard landing on a dirt airstrip while the pilot was attempting a short-field landing. Post-landing inspection revealed damage to the aft bulkhead, located in front of the tail cone, which exhibited a dent approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Additionally, the tail tie-down attachment was bent and pushed upward.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that during the flare, he configured the airplane with an excessive nose-up attitude in an effort to use as little runway as possible. The pilot believes that the tail tie-down attachment contacted the ground during touchdown.
Mechanical Condition
No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported. The aircraft was otherwise in normal operating condition prior to the landing.