Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudging distance and altitude. The pilot's lack of total experience in type of operation was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The aircraft landed short of the runway, impacting nose wheel first, while the pilot was performing the second touch and go from the right seat. During the impact sequence, the nose gear was sheared off and the aircraft skidded 300 feet down the runway. The pilot stated that he was '...not trained or competent to fly approaches from the right seat.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 30, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N6917W, operated by the private pilot/registered owner, undershot a landing on runway 27 (3,100' x 60' dry/asphalt), at Linton Municipal Airport, Linton, North Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The time of departure was 1330. The pilot reported in his written statement that he was practicing touch and go's from the right seat with a passenger in the left seat. He made one successful landing followed by a second approach. He stated that on the second approach, he became low and did not raise the nose wheel high enough. The nose gear impacted first, 15 feet short of the runway. The pilot stated he used "...poor judgement as I am not trained or competent to fly approaches from the right side [seat]." -