N21312 – Piper PA-32RT-300T – 1996-05-17 NTSB Accident Report

On May 17, 1996, a Piper PA-32RT-300T (N21312) was involved in an incident near Kernville, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the downdraft condition and subsequent failure to maintain a proper rate of descent.

On May 17, 1996, at 1250 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21312, owned and operated by the pilot, had the landing collapse while landing on runway 17 at the Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The airplane slid off the runway and down an embankment. The airplane was destroyed, and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated from Santa Monica, California, at 1150.

According to the pilot, his initial approach to runway 17 appeared normal. However, a downdraft was encountered as he crossed over the runway numbers. The pilot reported that the local wind was from the south-southwest at 15 to 20 knots.

This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX96LA202. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N21312.