Piper PA-32R-301 N8319N accident near Louisville, Kentucky

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse.

NTSB analysis

The pilot performed a steep descent while on approach, and the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, where it struck a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and both wings. When interviewed after the accident, the pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical malfunctions. However, he subsequently reported that the engine did not respond to a throttle control input after the airplane bounced and that he was not certain whether he experienced any mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. The airplane had been operated for about 20 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA386 for the full record.