Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that because the runway was wet, he was "determined to touch down as close to the approach end as possible." On landing, the airplane bounced, and the nose and main landing gear subsequently collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the runway, approximately 1,700 feet beyond the landing threshold, and sustained substantial damage. An airport surveillance video camera captured the accident sequence. Review of the video indicated that the airplane first contacted the runway just beyond the displaced threshold, in a flat attitude, with no flare or float. The airplane bounced and re-contacted the runway on its nose landing gear, which then collapsed. This was followed by a series of rapid, large-amplitude pitch oscillations, and collapse of the main gear.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA437 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 2, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lincoln Park, New Jersey
- Nearest airport
- Lincoln Park Airport (N07)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-34-200T
- N-number
- N551N
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.