# NTSB CEN13CA125: Piper PA-32-301, N428S, Middle Bass Island, OH, December 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 27, 2012, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Middle Bass Island, OH - Coordinates: 41.688331, -82.808052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6883&lon=-82.8081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in impact with the edge of the runway surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane touched down short of the runway threshold during landing. When the airplane's landing gear contacted the edge of the paved runway, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main wing spar. The pilot noted that 1- to 2-foot tall snow piles were at the approach end of the runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane touched down short of the runway threshold during landing. When the airplane's landing gear contacted the edge of the paved runway, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main wing spar. The pilot noted that there were 1 to 2 foot tall snow piles at the approach end of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N428S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N428S), registered now, S/N 32-8106021, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8106021 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Griffing Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Griffings Island Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3X5, N. Bass Island, OH - Destination: 3T7, Middle Bass Island, OH - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 3T7, Middle Bass Island Arpt, runway 28, 1,852 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: PCW, 11 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20121227027539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121227027539A), Dec 27, 2012: Piper PA-32-301, Middle Bass Isl, OH, Substantial damage. Airman stated he had departed port clinton airport (kpcw) on 12/27/2012 in order to deliver the U.S. Mail to north Bass island (3X5) and Middle Bass island… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.