Piper PA28 N5544J

Summary

On 27 May 2017 at about 17:00 local time, a Piper PA28 registered N5544J was involved in an accident near Gilbert, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 May 2017 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gilbert, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Whiteplains (SC99)

Coordinates

33.9639, -81.3592

Aircraft

Piper PA28

Registration

N5544J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gilbert → Gilbert

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA322

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper glidepath in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting terrain short of the runway threshold.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the final approach to land, the airplane encountered a "swirling wind due to [the] high trees on final approach." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain about 10 to 12 ft short of the runway threshold, the nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop as it continued forward onto the runway. The engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about 12 nautical miles from the accident airport, recorded wind from 130° at 7 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 27.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.