Saturday, November 23, 2019

Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance II, N31934; accident occurred September 02, 2019 at Mackinac Island Airport (KMCD), Mackinac County, Michigan

View of right wing damage. 
Federal Aviation Administration


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N31934



Location: Mackinac Island, MI
Accident Number: GAA19CA520
Date & Time: 09/02/2019, 1205 EDT
Registration: N31934
Aircraft: Piper PA32RT
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 6 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind and drifted left. The airplane bounced on touchdown and veered left, exited the runway, impacted a runway light, traveled through a ditch, and the main landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 11 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 26. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 39, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/16/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/13/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 147.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 18 hours (Total, this make and model), 78.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2.2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2.2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N31934
Model/Series: PA32RT 300
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32R-7885143
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/18/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7248.1 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: West Michigan Flying Club
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: West Michigan Flying Club
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMCD, 740 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1615 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 90°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2700 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Muskegon, MI (MKG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Mackinac Island, MI (MCD)
Type of Clearance: VFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1030 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Mackinac Island (MCD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 741 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3501 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 5 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 6 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.865000, -84.637222 (est)

3 comments:

  1. Calculated cross wind about 2. Maybe check brakes or steering?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Crosswind is 11kts - Runway 26, wind 360@11

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yeah, if you fly long enough you're going to encounter a 'crosswind' and maybe even a 'gust' or two .

    ReplyDelete