23 Sep 2010: PIPER PA34 200 — Louis Fly Academy Ltd

23 Sep 2010: PIPER PA34 200 — Louis Fly Academy Ltd

No fatalities • Northampton, MA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that it was his first landing at the accident airport. During the traffic pattern and approach for landing, he was "preoccupied" with the terrain surrounding the airport and landed at a "higher than normal" airspeed. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced. On the second touchdown, the airplane's nose landing gear contacted the runway, the airplane "shifted" to the right, and the left propeller impacted the runway. Postaccident examination by the FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings, and no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane were identified.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Incorrect use/operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 10sm

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