Pilatus Porter PC6
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125; Flight Crew Total 2700; Flight Crew Type 475
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
I was on a downwind approach when I made a power adjustment and the propeller surged against the governor. I quickly reduced power and the aircraft began to slow dramatically and began to descend.. I turned the aircraft towards an open field; rolled wings level; and put the aircraft down resulting in a hard landing.. the result was complete failure of the landing gear as well as a prop strike. The tailwheel was undamaged as well as the wings and tail section. The fuselage seemed to take most of the impact after the gear and prop. After the landing I secured the aircraft and contacted the FAA. I have flown this aircraft for 2 years and have never experienced this before. I believe that the prop went into beta/reverse which explains the sudden deceleration and loss of altitude. I sustained no injuries in the incident. This is my first incident and I have played the incident over and over in my head.. If I had more altitude when the malfunction occurred what could i have done differently? Not sure if the outcome would have been the same due to the wooded area. I believe I would of ended up in the trees.
PC-6 pilot experiences a possible propeller malfunction in the traffic pattern resulting in a dramatic increase in drag and an off airport landing.