# NTSB GAA18CA081: Piper PA 32, N4887S, Cheboygan, MI, December 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 5, 2017, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Cheboygan, MI - Coordinates: 45.654167, -84.513885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6542&lon=-84.5139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s rate of descent in gusting wind conditions resulting in a hard landing and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4887S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4887S), registered now, S/N 32-7100011, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7100011 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 15028.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Great Lakes Air. Inc - Registered owner: Great Lakes Air. Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 25, 2017 - Departed: 6Y1, BOIS BLANC ISLAND, MI - Destination: SLH, Cheboygan, MI - Airport: SLH, Cheboygan County, runway 28, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,439 total, 102 in this make and model, 2,306 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 28 knots, gusting 42 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.38 inHg - Observed at: KSLH ## 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 20171205022729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171205022729A), Dec 5, 2017: Piper PA-32-260, Cheboygan, MI, Substantial damage. On December 05, 2017 at 11:30 am eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-260 aircraft, N4887S, registered to and operated by an on demand air taxi service,… ## Other investigations on N4887S (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI98LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA330), Aug 28, 1998: Piper PA-32-260 (N4887S), Sault Ste Marie, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane and the runway marker. A factor contributing to this accident was the runway marker. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96464. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.