Piper PA-24-400 accident near Minden, Nevada, March 12, 2013
On March 12, 2013 at about 7:27 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-400, registered N8533P, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Minden, Nevada (Minden-Tahoe Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 12, 2013 · about 7:27 pm local time
- Place
- Minden, Nevada · Minden-Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-400 · all PA-24-400s on the register
- Registration
- N8533P · registry record · serial 26-114
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing, he crossed the threshold at 85 to 90 knots with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot used the electric trim as the airplane “floated” about 3 to 4 feet above the runway. The airplane subsequently touched down hard, and it bounced three times, striking the propeller on the runway each time. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control by applying brakes and making rudder control inputs, and the airplane departed the side of the runway, collapsing the landing gear. Postaccident examinations revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s lower belly main structure from the forward bulkhead firewall to just aft of the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: April 30, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,540 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-720 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 41U Manti UT at 4:15 pm
- Destination: MEV Minden NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 7,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from CXP, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.