Piper PA-28R-200 N7602C accident near Goldsby, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The commercial pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point during the landing, which resulted in a premature touchdown and an impact with the edge of the runway surface.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was taking a practical test to become a flight instructor and was demonstrating a simulated short field landing over a simulated 50-foot obstacle. The commercial pilot reported that he had planned to touch down on or within 100 feet past the numbers painted on the runway. The painted numbers were 60 feet long and about 18 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airplane touched down short of the intended landing spot, and the right main landing gear struck the edge of the runway surface, causing a loud “bang” that both the commercial pilot and the pilot examiner reported hearing. A postflight examination showed that the hard landing caused substantial damage to the right wing when three wing ribs separated from the spar web and partially penetrated through the upper skin. The commercial pilot added that the accident could have been avoided if he had picked a touchdown spot further away from the approach end of the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA671 for the full record.