Piper PA-30 N7790Y

Summary

On 6 December 2023 at about 21:26 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N7790Y was involved in an accident near Alamosa, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 December 2023 at 21:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Alamosa, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

San Luis Valley Regional Airpo (ALS)

Coordinates

37.4351, -105.8679

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N7790Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA055

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with an excessive touchdown speed that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the personal flight stated that he was the flying pilot and was seated in the right pilot seat with a passenger rated pilot seated in the left pilot seat. The pilot stated during landing that perhaps the airplane bounced. The airplane was right of the runway centerline and not pointed down the runway. The pilot stated that he corrected to the left and the airplane skidded off the runway and into a dirt area. The airplane’s left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage that included damage to the left wing. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data showed that the airplane crossed the runway approach end with a ground speed of approximately 113 kts during calm wind conditions. The airplane’s ground speed was approximately 70 kts about 4,000 ft down the runway when it began to veer off the runway. The Piper Aircraft PA-30 Owner’s Handbook states that the final approach speed for the airplane is 100 mph (86.9 kts). The bounce during landing was consistent with an excessive touchdown speed after a final approach flown at a speed higher than that specified for the airplane. The pilot stated that was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal airplane operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.