Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot-in-command to obtain the proper touchdown point and his failure to flare properly.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The aircraft touched down hard on the nose landing gear with about 900 feet remaining on the 3,600-foot runway. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft bounced into the air. The aircraft again touched down hard and the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft then skidded to a stop.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 22, 1995, about 2130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34, N4546L, registered to Dave's Charters, Inc., landed hard at Willis Glider Port, Boynton Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Key West, Florida, on March 22, 1995, at 2030. Investigation by an FAA inspector indicated the airplane landed hard about 3/4 of the way down the 3,600-foot grass runway. The nose landing gear dug into the turf and collapsed. The airplane bounced, landed again, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then came to rest upright. The NTSB was notified of this accident by the pilot on April 6, 1995. -