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GAA18CA094

2017-12-28 · Spearfish, South Dakota, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SPF

Current FAA registration · N11KX

Make / Model
PIPER PA-32-301T
Year of manufacture
1981 · 36 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines
7 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19820126
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A02AD1

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s inadvertent landing in snow adjacent to the snow-covered runway resulting in a collision with runway signs.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that following an instrument approach in light snow, he inadvertently landed in the safety area to the left of the snow-covered runway. During landing, both wings collided with runway signage. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that following an instrument approach in light snow, he inadvertently landed in the safety area to the left of the snow-covered runway. During landing, both wings collided with runway signs. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. 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-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Snow-Effect on personnel
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA18CA094.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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