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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 12, 2021 · Piper PA-32R-301 · N35718

Sparta, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 12, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sparta, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-301 (1979)
Tail Number
N35718
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA112

The airplane touched down short of the runway and encountered a snowbank adjacent to the approach threshold. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded along the runway before coming to rest. The pilot reported that he “misjudged the end of the runway” during landing after executing a GPS approach. There were no malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. He noted that maintaining the glideslope guidance provided by the precision approach path indicator would have prevented the accident. Additionally, canceling his instrument flight plan while on the approach “proved distracting.” The snowbank was less than 3-ft high and would not have been an issue had the pilot maintained the proper approach glideslope. Although the airframe accumulated about 1/2 inch of ice during the descent and approach, there is no evidence that it contributed to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glideslope during final approach, which resulted in contact with a snowbank at the approach end of the runway.

Full Narrative

On January 12, 2021, at 1658 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N35718, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Paul C. Miller Airport (8D4), Sparta, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, main landing gear tire tracks in the snow cover indicated that the airplane touched down about 18 ft short of the runway. It subsequently encountered a snowbank less than 3 ft in height adjacent to the runway threshold. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded down the runway before coming to rest about 1,000 ft. from the approach threshold. The pilot reported that he “misjudged the end of the runway” after executing a GPS approach and the airplane impacted a snowbank at the end of the runway. There were no malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. He noted that maintaining the glideslope guidance provided by the precision approach path indicator might have prevented the accident. Additionally, cancelling his instrument flight plan while still on the approach “proved distracting.” He added that the airframe accumulated about 1/2 inch of ice during the descent and approach in instrument meteorological conditions, but that the airplane was “flying well.” The pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing before the accident flight. He was advised of the airman’s meteorological information (AIRMET) advisories in effect for icing and instrument conditions. Multiple pilot reports (PIREPS) for in-flight airframe icing were received by air traffic control, along with one negative icing report. The airplane was not certificated for flight into icing conditions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:58 EST
Nearest AirportPaul C Miller (1nm ENE)
Runway25
Runway Length4032 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-301
Tail NumberN35718
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
Wind190° @ 7 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 F / 27 F
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data