1989-12-29: Piper PA-34-200 — Jenison, MI

Casualties unknown • Jenison, MI, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE ICING CONDITION THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE FLIGHT WAS A MULTI-ENGINE CHECK RIDE FOR THE PILOT/APPLICANT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT AS THEY WERE ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT 'ABRUPTLY OSCILLATED (BUFFETED), PITCHED NOSE UP THEN NOSE DOWN...' THE NOSEWHEEL IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND BROKE OFF, AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOTS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 1/2' OF MIXED ICE DURING THEIR DESCENT THROUGH THE CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT IN JULY, 1976. THE AIRCRAFT IS NOT CERTIFIED OR EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-12-29 Piper PA-34-200 accident near Jenison, MI?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-12-29 involved a Piper PA-34-200, registration N1294T, at Jenison, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE ICING CONDITION THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

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