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GAA18CA081

2017-12-05 · Cheboygan, Michigan, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SLH

Current FAA registration · N4887S

Make / Model
PIPER PA-32-260
Year of manufacture
1971 · 46 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES (250 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19710201
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A609AF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s rate of descent in gusting wind conditions resulting in a hard landing and runway excursion.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during approach to runway 28, "I noticed the VSI showed a dramatic increase in the decent rate and I applied full power." He reported that the airplane landed hard, and he heard a "pop," and believed that the main landing gear tires had failed. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft bulkhead, stringer and skin. According to the METAR at the accident airport, about the time of the accident the wind was from 230° at 28kts gusting to 42kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, during approach to runway 28, he noticed that the vertical speed indicator showed an increase in the decent rate so he applied full power. He reported that the airplane landed hard, and he heard a "pop" and believed that the main landing gear tires had failed. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft bulkhead, stringer, and skin. According to the METAR at the accident airport, about the time of the accident the wind was from 230° at 28 kts gusting to 42 kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA18CA081.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

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Related research

Matched on aircraft type or causal vocabulary (runway excursion). All research papers