# NTSB MIA97LA145: Piper PA-32R-300, N1321H, Augusta, GA, April 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 1997, 20:50 local (Apr 23, 1997, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Augusta, GA - Coordinates: 33.350822, -81.970664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3508&lon=-81.9707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38268/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA145 ## Probable cause flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during the landing flare, and collision with the terrain. The adverse weather with nearby thunderstorm activity, crosswind, and gusts was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - thunderstorm,outflow (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot was landing with known gusty crosswinds and windshear at his destination airport. While on final approach, the tower controller advised him of thunderstorm activity and gusty wind conditions, and that the wind was 260 degrees at 56 knots. The pilot started his flare at about 10 to 15 feet, and encountered a strong gusty wind. The airplane turned to the right. The pilot lost directional control, the airplane landed hard. The airplane then skidded off the runway, and all landing gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 1997, about 2050 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N1321H, registered to Royal Sons Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight crashed on landing at Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Petersburg, Florida, about 2 hours 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated upon arrival in the Augusta area, that he observed thunderstorm activity in the vicinity. He was cleared to land on runway 35. While on final approach the tower operator advised him of the thunderstorms and gusty wind conditions. He elected to continue with the VFR approach and landing. He started his landing flare/touchdown at about 10 to 15 feet, and encountered a strong gusty wind. The airplane turned to the right 90 degrees. He lost directional control, the airplane landed hard on the main gear perpendicular to the runway, skidded off the runway, and collapsed all landing gear. Review of radio communications between N1321H and Augusta Air Traffic Control, local control (LC) revealed at 2047:32 N1321H was advised of windshear Advisories at the airport which was acknowledged by the pilot at 2047:39. The pilot was advised at 2048:44 by LC that the wind was 260 degrees at 56 knots. Review of weather information obtained from Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia, for the time of the accident, revealed no recorded record of turbulence, or downdrafts, and the winds were 280-degrees, at 26 knots, gusting to 48 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1321H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1321H), registered now, S/N 32R-7780152 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780152 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edwin A. Deas - Registered owner: Royal Sons Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Destination: AGS - Airport: AGS, Bush Field, runway 35, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 26 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 26 knots, gusting 48 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS ## 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 19970422006329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970422006329A), Apr 22, 1997: Piper PA32R300, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage. Tried to land with thunderstorm overhead. Encountered severe wind shear. Lost control. Landed hard. Folded gear. (-23) before arrival at ags, PIC deas received… ## Other investigations on N1321H (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 CHI80FET26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FET26), Aug 18, 1980: Piper PA-32R (N1321H), Syracuse, IN, substantial damage 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.