On June 17, 1995, a Piper PA-32RT-300 (registration N21873) was involved in an aviation accident near Peru, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. A factor in the accident was the runway light. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During final approach, the pilot encountered a quartering headwind and corrected for drift. After a bounced landing, the pilot initiated a go-around. During takeoff, the left main landing gear struck a runway light, damaging the gear and left wing. The pilot climbed to assess damage and performed an emergency landing on grass.
Sequence of Events
While on final approach for landing, the pilot noticed a quartering headwind and held the necessary correction for wind drift. After the initial touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air. It then touched down again on the left side of the runway. The pilot decided to perform a go-around. As the airplane was taking off, the left main landing gear impacted a runway light, damaging the gear and left wing. The pilot continued with the takeoff.
Aftermath
After taking off, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 1000 feet above the ground. The pilot performed two passes over the airport so that maintenance personnel could determine the extent of the damage done to the landing gear. After the maintenance personnel determined that the left landing gear was not locked, the pilot declared an emergency and decided to make an emergency landing on the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot stated that this accident could have been prevented if he had done a go-around when he realized that the airplane was high on final.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 17 Jun 1995 Piper PA-32RT-300 accident near Peru, IL?
During final approach, the pilot encountered a quartering headwind and corrected for drift. After a bounced landing, the pilot initiated a go-around. During takeoff, the left main landing gear struck a runway light, damaging the gear and left wing. The pilot climbed to assess damage and performed an emergency landing…
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 17 Jun 1995 involved a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N21873, at Peru, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. A factor in the accident was the runway light.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…