What happened
On October 19, 2006, a privately operated Piper PA-28R-200, registration JA3743, departed from Yamagata Airport for a leisure flight. The aircraft was operated by a single pilot-in-command with no other passengers on board. The flight was intended to terminate at Fukushima Skypark Airstrip (FSP) under visual flight rules.
During the approach to runway 14, the pilot utilized a steeper approach angle than usual, a technique often employed at this location to counteract the tendency of the aircraft to be pulled into nearby valleys during windy conditions. On this particular day, however, weather conditions were calm. As the aircraft neared the runway, the pilot initiated the flare too early. This maneuver caused the aircraft to stall before ground effect could be utilized, leading to a hard landing on the runway.
Immediately following the impact, the pilot taxied the aircraft to the apron. Upon inspection, cracks and wrinkling were discovered on the upper surface of the right wing, specifically around the area where the right main landing gear is attached.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, the pilot's experience, and the physical condition of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed maintenance records, which showed the aircraft had been properly maintained and had no known abnormalities prior to the event. The investigation also included interviews with the pilot and an eyewitness from the airfield management office.
Technical analysis focused on the descent rate at touchdown and the aircraft's attitude. The investigation also looked into the structural integrity of the wing, noting that the aircraft was over 31 years old at the time of the accident.