N47863 – PIPER PA-32R-300 – 2012-02-18 NTSB Accident Report

On February 18, 2012, a Piper PA-32R-300 (N47863) was involved in an incident near Swainsboro, GA. All 7 people 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 failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

The pilot reported that the airplane was approaching the destination airport on a base leg of the traffic pattern in night visual conditions. At that time, the runway lights were set on high intensity, which diluted the threshold lights. Additionally, the red localizer antenna hazard lights were distracting. The pilot further stated that he was too low and struck trees during final approach; however, the airplane landed on the runway without further incident. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the airplane impacted trees with both wings about 2,400 feet prior to the runway threshold. The impact with trees resulted in damage to the left wing spar, lower fuselage, and the stabilator.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA190. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N47863.