On 11 Aug 2014, a PIPER PA 34-200T 220T was involved in an aviation accident near Gainesville, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot diverted due to thunderstorms and porpoised during landing on a crossing runway at a tower-controlled airport, resulting in substantial damage to the forward bulkhead and windshield center post.
Incident Details
According to the pilot, while en route, thunderstorms along the planned route prompted a diversion to a nearby airport. The pilot was initially cleared for an approach to one runway but performed a go-around due to being above a normal glidepath, as noted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The flight was then cleared to land on a crossing runway at the tower-controlled airport. The pilot entered final for that runway and, upon landing, the aircraft porpoised three times before coming to rest.
Damage
During the landing, the aircraft's nose landing gear contacted the runway, causing the airplane to bounce. This resulted in substantial damage to the forward bulkhead and the windshield center post.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation of the aircraft.