Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot he encountered turbulence and gusting winds at his destination airport. During his landing attempt, the airplane landed hard on the nose gear, resulting in substantial damage to the forward bulkhead. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the weather revealed winds from 340 degrees at 7 knots with no gusts.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA357 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Allegheny County Airport (AGC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-34-200T
- N-number
- N75131
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- 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.