N4450S

Substantial
None

PIPER PA32RTS/N: 32R-7987073

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, May 5, 2016
NTSB Number
GAA16CA222
Location
Gainesville, GA
Event ID
20160509X53729
Coordinates
34.273612, -83.831390
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing, left main landing gear collapse, and runway excursion.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N4450S
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32R-7987073
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1979
Model / ICAO
PA32RTP32R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
MORELOS 931
Status
Deregistered
City
CIUDAD OBREGON
State / Zip Code
85010
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing flare a gust of wind caused the airplane to balloon 10 to 15 feet above the runway. The pilot further reported that the touchdown was hard, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway.

An automated weather observing system, about the time of the accident, reported the wind from 310 degrees true at 14 knots, gusting to 20 knots, for the landing on runway 29.

The fuselage was substantially damaged.

The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA222