Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain his descent rate during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that when he initiated the landing flare, his sight picture "looked correct"; however the airplane impacted the runway before he transitioned to a "horizontal" attitude. The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard, bounced, exited the runway to the left, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies existed with the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations.

Contributing factors

cause Pilot
cause Descent rate — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather: VMC, vis 10sm

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26 Sep 2015: PIPER PA 24 260 — GORDON E. HERING