# NTSB LAX08CA062: Piper PA-32-300, N5481T, Kalispell, MT, February 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2008, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Kalispell, MT - Coordinates: 48.189331, -114.379898 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1893&lon=-114.3799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67537/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain alignment with the runway while landing and executing a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flared high, and the airplane bounced during the landing attempt. The initial touchdown was 10-12 feet right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied power to initiate a go-around, and the airplane continued to drift right as it lifted off. The airplane's right main wheel was approximately 1 foot right of the runway edge when the right wing struck a pile of ice and snow. ## Factual narrative On February 17, 2008, at 1400 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N5481T, veered of the runway and struck a snow bank at Kalispell City Airport, Kalispell, Montana. The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and single passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, about 1345. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that while landing at Kalispell City Airport, he flared high and bounced during the landing attempt. The airplanes initial touchdown was 10-12 feet right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied power to initiate a go-around. The airplane's right main wheel was approximately 1 foot right of the runway edge when the right wing struck a pile of ice and snow. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5481T (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7240107 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven Weggeland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KGPI, Kalispell, MT - Destination: KS27, Kalispell, MT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KS27, Kalispell City Airport, runway 13, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 65 total, 17 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KGPI ## 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 20080217011019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080217011019A), Feb 17, 2008: Piper PA32300, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 17, 2008, about 14:00 MST, a Piper PA-32-300, N5481T, was substantially damaged when the right main gear was sheared off during landing roll… 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.