No fatalities

Landing Gear Failure After Runway Pavement Strike (N3581C)

Burlington, NC, US

On February 1, 2006, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N3581C) operated by Labcorp was involved in an aviation accident near Burlington, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of altitude/distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and subsequent impact with the runway collapsing the main landing gear. 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

A pilot reported that during landing, the main landing gear struck the pavement end, shearing the left main gear. No mechanical issues were noted before the accident.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while on approach, he entered a left downwind for runway 06. He extended the downwind leg because another aircraft was on a left base for the same runway. After turning final, the pilot performed several S-turns to wait for the other aircraft to clear the runway. Once the runway was clear, the pilot aligned with runway 06 and flared for landing. During the flare, the main landing gear struck the end of the pavement, causing the left main gear to shear off.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that after the other aircraft cleared the runway, he "lined up with the runway 06 and flared to land. My main landing gear struck the end of the pavement and sheared the left main gear." The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.

Investigation Notes

No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or injuries were provided in the source. The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the sequence of events.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Feb 2006 Piper PA-31-350 accident near Burlington, NC?

A pilot reported that during landing, the main landing gear struck the pavement end, shearing the left main gear. No mechanical issues were noted before the accident.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Feb 2006 Piper PA-31-350 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Feb 2006 involved a Piper PA-31-350, registration N3581C, operated by Labcorp, at Burlington, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude/distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and subsequent impact with the runway collapsing the main landing gear.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060327X00353. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.