Casualties unknown

Hard Landing and Nose Gear Collapse on Runway 09 (N6391R)

Grant, MI, US

On September 7, 1997, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N6391R) was involved in an aviation accident near Grant, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's fixation on the end of the runway, his failure to place the airplane in an attitude to land (flare) which resulted in a hard landing, and the pilot's failure to recover from the subsequent bounced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a hard landing on runway 09, with multiple bounces and a nose gear failure during landing. Examination of the aircraft found no pre-existing anomalies.

Incident Summary

A pilot reported experiencing a hard landing on runway 09. The aircraft touched down hard, bounced, and then bounced twice more before stalling and landing on the nose gear, which subsequently broke. The airplane came to rest approximately halfway down the runway.

Pilot Account

According to the pilot, they lined up for landing on runway 09, focusing on touching down near the approach end. The pilot stated, "I failed to flare at a high enough altitude and struck the ground very hard and bounced back into the air." The plane bounced twice more before stalling and landing on the nose gear. The nose gear broke, and the airplane rolled to a stop about halfway down the runway.

Wreckage Examination

A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. The aircraft appeared to have been in normal operating condition prior to the landing sequence described by the pilot.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Sept 1997 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Grant, MI?

A pilot reported a hard landing on runway 09, with multiple bounces and a nose gear failure during landing. Examination of the aircraft found no pre-existing anomalies.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Sept 1997 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N6391R, at Grant, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's fixation on the end of the runway, his failure to place the airplane in an attitude to land (flare) which resulted in a hard landing, and the pilot's failure to recover from the subsequent bounced landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08812. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.