Summary
On March 21, 2019, a Piper PA32R (N5544F) was involved in an incident near Atmautluak, AK. All 5 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The airplane's encounter with a snow-covered pothole during taxi.
The pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway for departure, he felt a "large bump." The pilot immediately shutdown the engine and inspected the airplane. He identified damage to the right wing and landing gear.
The pilot further reported that he inspected the taxiway after he saw the airplane's damage, and the large bump he felt was the right landing gear encounter with a snow-covered pothole.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA174. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5544F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The airplane's encounter with a snow-covered pothole during taxi.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway for departure, he felt a "large bump." The pilot immediately shutdown the engine and inspected the airplane. He identified damage to the right wing and landing gear.
The pilot further reported that he inspected the taxiway after he saw the airplane's damage, and the large bump he felt was the right landing gear encounter with a snow-covered pothole.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA19CA174