No fatalities

Landing Short During Simulated Engine Failure Results in Nose Gear Collapse and Firewall Damage

Carrollton, GA, United States

On May 8, 2010, a PIPER PA-24-260B was involved in an aviation accident near Carrollton, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper touchdown point during landing. Contributing to the accident was the certificated flight instructor's lack of remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a checkout flight with a simulated engine failure, the airplane landed 88 feet short of the runway, collapsing the nose gear. A subsequent go-around and landing with no nose wheel led to substantial engine firewall damage.

Accident Overview

A pilot who had recently purchased a one-third share in an airplane was receiving a checkout from a certified flight instructor for insurance purposes. During the flight, they practiced a landing on runway 35 with a simulated engine failure.

Sequence of Events

The airplane touched down 88 feet before the runway pavement. As it continued forward, the nose wheel struck the edge of the runway, causing the nose gear to collapse. The pilot then initiated a go-around. On the second landing attempt, with the nose gear already compromised, the airplane skidded to a stop.

Damage Assessment

The impact and subsequent skid resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft.

Pilot's Perspective

The pilot stated: "it is likely; the damage to the aircraft was sustained during the simulated engine out landing as the landing gear crossed the edge of the runway pavement. A decision to execute our go around once we knew our simulated engine out landing was assured would have been advisable. Also, aiming for a landing point further down the runway as opposed to the end of the runway would have prevented this accident. Although I have logged a considerable amount of flying hours, the greatest majority of it has been in a Cessna 210 and other high wing aircraft where it is visually easy to see the main gear and runway. My lack of low wing aircraft time and visual landing perspective in these aircraft are most likely a factor as well."

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Instructor/check pilot