N31934

Substantial
None

Piper PA32RTS/N: 32R-7885143

Summary

On September 02, 2019, a Piper PA32RT (N31934) was involved in an incident near Mackinac Island, MI. All 6 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 directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway light.

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind and drifted left. The airplane bounced on touchdown and veered left, exited the runway, impacted a runway light, traveled through a ditch, and the main landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 11 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 26.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA520. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N31934.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, September 2, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA19CA520
Location
Mackinac Island, MI
Event ID
20190902X33852
Coordinates
45.865001, -84.637222
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
6
Total Aboard
6

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway light.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32R-7885143
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1978
Model / ICAO
PA32RTP32R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WEST MICHIGAN FLYING CLUB
Address
551 AIRPORT RD
Status
Deregistered
City
NORTON SHORES
State / Zip Code
MI 49441-5001
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind and drifted left. The airplane bounced on touchdown and veered left, exited the runway, impacted a runway light, traveled through a ditch, and the main landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 11 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 26.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA520