Soft field landing goes badly

By NTSB · September 20, 2013 ·

Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Gerlach, Nev. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was flying the airplane over a large open desert playa. The surface appeared to be flat and dry.

Upon touching down, the landing gear dug into what turned out to be the about 8-inch deep soft soil. The airplane cartwheeled to a stop.

Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to land at an unknown off-airport location.

NTSB Identification: WPR11CA425

This September 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it isintended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

Share this story

Become better informed pilot.

Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily.

Curious to know what fellow pilots think on random stories on the General Aviation News website? Click on our Recent Comments page to find out. Read our Comment Policy here.